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Did you know that, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, roughly 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids?
Whether you’re new to hearing aids or have been using them for quite some time, one of the most important things to know is how to properly care for them. Let’s go over a few common hearing aid maintenance tasks as well as how often you should perform each one.
Develop a Daily Hearing Aid Cleaning Routine
Wearing your hearing aids during all waking hours (except when showering or swimming) helps make it easier for you to navigate throughout the day. It also exposes your hearing aids to roughly 16 hours of earwax, moisture and other debris on a daily basis. Allowing buildup on your hearing aids can affect performance and even cause them to malfunction completely.
Make sure you clean your hearing aids every night before bed. You can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any wax or moisture or use tools from a hearing aid cleaning kit, such as a soft-bristled brush or vent cleaner, for a more thorough clean. You can also store your hearing aids in a drying box at night for even more protection against unwanted moisture.
Changing Your Batteries
If your hearing aids lose power while you’re at the movies or a yoga class at the Central Park Community Center, they won’t do you much good. This is why it’s helpful to not only keep extra batteries in your purse or glove compartment but to know when to change them. The lifespan of disposable hearing aid batteries is typically 3–10 days and can vary depending on the size and your hearing aid model, along with other factors.
Visiting Your Hearing Aid Specialist
In addition to taking care of your hearing at home, having regular checkups with your hearing aid specialist is a vital part of your maintenance routine as well.
Typical recommendations are that you bring your device to your hearing specialists every six months to a year to have your hearing aid checked and see if your settings need to be changed or if any repairs are needed. If your hearing aids are older than 3–5 years, it may be time for a hearing aid upgrade.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact Topeka Ear Nose & Throat today.