The inner ear canal is 100 percent humidity and remains a constant 98 degrees. Earwax is a combination of salt and corrosive body acid. These conditions are harmful to electronics, but it is in this environment that hearing aids must perform. Routine care, cleaning and maintenance will prolong the life of your hearing aids and keep them working well.
When cared for properly, a hearing aid should be expected to last for around four or five years. A great plan to ensure that your device lasts as long as possible is to start out with a regular cleaning regimen. The steps for properly cleaning your hearing aid will vary according to the type of device you have (for example, hearing aids with tubing will need slightly different cleaning techniques than an inner ear model), but experts all agree that establishing the cleaning routine itself is vital to both prolonging the life cycle of your device and protecting your delicate ear area from the effects of harmful bacteria. Be sure to avoid using any alcohol-based cleansing products for your hearing aid, and opt for products that have been created specifically with this sensitive equipment in mind, such as Cleaning Wipes and Cleaning Sprays that come with a convenient brush attachment.
PROTECTING YOUR HEARING AID INVESTMENT
Hearing aids provide many benefits to people with hearing loss, but as a major investment in your health and wellbeing, they need some care and attention to keep them performing at their best. With their compact micro-engineering and high-tech circuit boards, it is essential to keep them in top condition. Here are some easy ways to prevent the most common problems that could affect their performance.
CLEANING
Make sure you take some time to keep your hearing aid clean. You can factor this into your daily routine by giving your hearing aid a quick cleaning with a dry cloth. Open the battery compartment to release any humidity that may have built up during the day inside the hearing aid battery compartment or casing, and allow air to circulate around the hearing aid overnight.
CONDENSATION AND HUMIDITY
Keeping condensation and humidity away from your hearing aid will help to keep it in top condition. Take some easy precautions to prevent any moisture from getting into your hearing aid. For example, if the weather is rainy, don’t forget to use your umbrella or pull up your hood, no matter how short the distance. And if you are visiting a hairdresser, remove your hearing aid to prevent any water from getting inside of it. After washing your hair or taking a shower, don’t put your hearing aid back in immediately. Instead, you should wait until your ears are properly dry. Remember to remove your hearing aid before you go in the bath or shower as the humidity in the bathroom can adversely affect its performance.
TEMPERATURE
Variations in temperature can be a problem for hearing aids, especially extremes of temperature such as hot summers or cold winters. Don’t be tempted to remove your hearing aid and leave it in the car glovebox or on a sunny windowsill or warm radiator, for example.
DAMAGE FROM ACCIDENTS
When handling your hearing aid, it is always a good idea to have a designated cloth to work over while you change the batteries or clean them after a day's wear. By having a soft surface below you, you will avoid the damage that could arise from dropping your hearing aid onto a hard table or the floor, which could shock or jolt the fine engineering in the hearing aid.
COSMETICS AND HAIR PRODUCTS
Fit your hearing aid after you have finished applying your makeup or brushing your hair, especially if using hair spray. The fine mist that is emitted by the aerosol spray could enter the finer parts of your hearing aid and, if it sets, cause damage to the performance of the hearing aid. Other products to be wary of include perfume sprays, deodorant sprays, and shaving foams.
GARDENING OR COOKING
If you love gardening or cooking, make sure that you wash and dry your hands well before handling your hearing aids. The tiny vents are easily blocked, which can reduce performance.
REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
If your hearing aids need repair, only use a hearing aid professional to make sure the devices remain in excellent condition.
Just taking a few precautions and carrying out regular maintenance on your hearing aids will go a long way toward protecting your initial investment and keeping them performing at their optimum level.
