Hearing aids can improve the lives of people with hearing loss in so many ways. They can boost your confidence at work, improve communication with your family, and make it easier to follow the conversation when out with friends at Bluegrass.
A tool that is valuable deserves to be taken care of! Whether you’ve had your device for years or are a new user, let’s go over a few valuable tips on when to perform maintenance tasks on your hearing aids.
Cleaning Your Hearing Aids
Frequency: Daily
To get the most benefit, you should be wearing your hearing aids during all waking hours, except for when they might be exposed to water (like when showering or swimming). While this will give you better hearing throughout the day, it also exposes your hearing aids to roughly 16 hours of earwax, moisture and other debris on a daily basis. This makes it essential to develop a nightly cleaning routine that you can perform when you take them out before bed.
You can wipe off your device with a soft, dry cloth or purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit with tools like a soft-bristled brush and vent cleaner.
Replacing Your Batteries
Frequency: Varies based on model
Disposable hearing aid batteries usually have a lifespan of 3-10 days. However, different models use different batteries. The batteries are color-coded so that you can open the battery door and see what type your model of hearing aid requires. Change the battery when your device starts to beep or if the sound coming through your hearing aid seems weakened. It’s a good idea to keep extra batteries on you when you are out to make sure you can always replace them when needed.
Professional Hearing Aid Adjustments
Frequency: Six months to one year
Both your hearing aids as well as your hearing needs have the ability to change over time. Having regular checkups with a specialist to see if any adjustments need to be made to improve your listening experience can enhance your experience and increase your overall satisfaction with your device.
Should You Get Hearing Aids?
Considering hearing aids? According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, but only a fraction of people who need them currently use them.
With the right audiological care and proper maintenance routine, you can find a device to help treat your hearing loss and keep you connected to the people and the things you love.
To speak more with an expert or to schedule an appointment, contact North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab today.