How to Increase the Life of a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is an essential tool for people who experience hearing loss. It doesn’t matter if the hearing aid is for young, adult or elderly, it increases the quality of life exponentially. With a hearing aid, it will make life feel as healthy as it ever has done. But this is only if you take proper care of your hearing aid. 

If you are new to hearing aids, you need to understand that, like any medical instrument designed around improving quality of life, you need to take care of it. If you are unsure how to do that, here is some advice on the best ways to increase the lifespan of a hearing aid. 

Fresh batteries

Fresh batteries are the best way to ensure that your hearing aid has a long-life span. Whenever you feel that the current battery power is getting too low and depleting, you should change them out for a fresh set of hearing aid batteries. 

If you are inexperienced using hearing aids, it may take some time for you to realize when the batteries need changing. The longer you use it, the more proficient you will be at recognizing when the sound quality is not as sufficient as it once was. You can also stock up on several sets of batteries at once to ensure that you are never without a fresh set. 

When installing the new batteries, make sure you do so with clean hands while also checking that there is no erosion or damage within the battery slot. 

Regular cleaning

Besides renewing the batteries when required, undertaking regular cleaning of your hearing aid will also ensure you can enjoy a long lifespan while also minimizing the amount of maintenance or repairs that need to be carried out. 

Issues that could occur from insufficient and irregular cleaning include blocked tubes and trapped debris on or around the microphone. Such problems will impact the quality of the hearing aid, prevent a crisp and clear sound as well as have long-lasting damage that could require a replacement.  

It’s in your best interest to invest in hearing-aid specific cleaning products, such as brushes and cleaning wipes, to maintain your hearing aid, so speak to your audiologist about this. 

Keep it away from moisture

Like any electronic device, hearing aids and moisture do not go well together. It can damage the exterior casing of the hearing as well as the inner parts and setup. The result is inefficient volume and operation and has the potential to cut out any sound altogether if the moisture penetrates too severely. 

Audiologists advise that anyone who uses a hearing aid should not wear one in environments where moisture is abundant, such as the shower or exercising and especially swimming. If the hearing aid gets wet, make sure to dry it as soon as possible with a cloth and remove the batteries, leaving it open and allowing the device to air out. 

Keep it away from hair products

Similarly, hair products, such as hair spray and similar aerosol products as well as creams or lotions, can also be detrimental to the hearing aid. If you regularly use these products, it’s always recommended to remove the hearing aid before applying them. 

The hearing aid contains sensitive parts, and while the casing is generally secure, there is always the potential for damaging agents to breach the closure. If you want to guarantee that there is no risk of your hearing aid being damaged, make sure never to wear it while getting ready. 

Store them in a safe place 

Finally, storing your hearing aids in a safe place will prevent them from getting lost or damaged accidentally. This is especially vital if you live with small children or pets who might get curious and chew on or even swallow your hearing aid, or parts of your hearing aid. 

Furthermore, using a case to keep it in when traveling will prevent knocks and additional damage that could occur from moving your bag around if you are not wearing your hearing aid. 

Long Life 

Whether you use an ITE, BTE or ITC hearing aid, you must take proper care of it by following this advice. As a result, you can enjoy better hearing with greater clarity, less need for repairs and maintenance, and increased overall satisfaction with the hearing aid program. If you believe that you or someone you know could benefit from hearing aids, or to learn more about Audiology Associates and how they can help you, get in touch today at 573-332-7000 to speak to one of our experienced members of staff.