Keeping your hearing aids working well is a top priority when you’re dependent on them to communicate with loved ones, participate in activities you enjoy and generally assist you in your daily routine. Although hearing aids are designed to be quite durable, they’re still electronics instruments that can be damaged by things like dirt, moisture, heat, earwax and being dropped or trodden on!
Here are some of the most frequent causes of hearing aid damage, and how you can avoid them!
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Neglecting Cleaning Your Hearing Aids or Cleaning Them Incorrectly
Like all electronics, hearing aids can be damaged by dirt particles and moisture, which is why it is important to make sure you’re keeping them clean. They’re also close to another substance that can cause a problem – earwax! When earwax gets into the tubing or receiver of you hearing aids, it can cause them to function poorly or stop working altogether. It’s important that you have a good routine of cleaning your hearing aids to keep them performing their best.
Just as important as cleaning your hearing aids is ensuring you’re cleaning them correctly. Avoid cleaning your hearing aids with water, which can corrode or damage the devices. All you’ll need is a dry, soft cloth to wipe them over. Most hearing aids come with cleaning tools such as a brush and wax filters which you can use to clean them. You can also pop into one of our Hearing Sense clinics to get them cleaned, and we can even take you through how to do it at home and ensure you have all the correct tools! -
Dropping Your Hearing Aids
As much as we wish they were, your hearing aids aren’t indestructible. Dropping them on hard surfaces from any height can damage them. To reduce the risk of dropping your hearing aids, make sure you’re handling them over soft surfaces such as a carpeted area, or sit down while you’re inserting them and taking them out – especially while you’re still getting used to handling them.
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Improper Storage
Where you keep your hearing aids when you’re not using them is important to keep them working well for years to come. Make sure your hearing aids aren’t stored in places like a bathroom or laundry, and avoid keeping them in hot areas like the car in summer.
Find a cool, dry place such as your bedside table or dresser, and store them there consistently – this will also help protect them from getting stepped on, knocked over or lost. If your hearing aid has batteries you change, ensure you open the battery doors when you aren’t wearing the aids. This allows the compartment to dry out, and helps lengthen the life of the batteries. -
When Not To Wear Your Hearing Aids
Rest assured, you can wear your hearing aids during most daily activities, but there are a few that can be harmful to your hearing aids:
• Using a shower or sauna
• Swimming
• Blow-drying your hair
• Using hairsprays and other aerosol products
These environments expose your hearing aids to moisture, heat and substances that can damage your hearing aids and clog the microphone and receiver. Best practice is to remove your hearing aids before you do any of the activities we’ve listed above, and keep them in your hearing aid case.
Hearing aids are designed to assist you through everyday life, but they’re not invincible and require some TLC to keep them in tip top condition.
If you would like more information on cleaning and caring for your hearing aids, please feel free to give us a call on 8331 8047 or pop into our Norwood or Unley clinic.
