All About Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Do you remember the hearing aids your parents or grandparents used to
How to Care for Your Hearing Aids
How to Care for Your Hearing Aids
Whether you are new to hearing aids or you’re a seasoned wearer, hearing aids are an essential part of how you connect to the world.
Hearing aids are powerful devices, and in recent years, new digital technology has increased their features and accessibility. At the same time, they do require care and maintenance to ensure their functionality.
Issues You May Encounter
There are several main issues you may encounter with your hearing aids: batteries, earwax, earmold/venting, moisture/dirt, feedback, and static/noise.
Batteries are the main power source of your hearing aid. You may encounter problems with the hearing aid if the batteries are dead or defective. When you are replacing the battery, make sure that you have placed them correctly. At the first sign of problems with your hearing aid, check your batteries first to make sure they still have juice.
Earwax is a natural lubricant produced by your ears. You may find that earwax builds up in different components of your hearing aid. This may interfere with the functionality of your hearing aids. Cleaning the earwax from your hearing aids periodically will help.
Hearing aids are customized to fit your ears. If there are problems with the molds or vents, you may experience discomfort or interference with sound. Similarly, there may be issues with the hearing aid if moisture, dirt, or other debris enters the components. You may have difficulty adjusting volume or switching between features if these components are obstructed or wet.
As with most electronic acoustic equipment, you may experience feedback with your hearing aids. This is often due to a leak of sound that is then picked up again by the hearing aid microphone. Feedback is commonly caused by issues with the fit, or with the placement of the hearing aid.
Static or white noise that comes from the hearing aid often indicates that there are problems with the electric components. Moisture or dirt in the different components of the hearing aid may cause static. Additionally, there may be unwanted noise due to a defective battery.
Daily Care for Hearing Aids
As you use your hearing aids every day, it is important to perform daily checks and maintenance. Your audiologist will show you how to perform listening checks on your hearing aids to ensure clear sound.
Batteries are crucial to powering the hearing aid. You may want to use a battery tester to check the power level of your batteries. Always carry spare batteries with you just in case! Usually, batteries last one to two weeks, depending on the style and model of your hearing aid.
Clean your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth. This will help to remove any dirt and grime accumulated throughout the day. You may also use a drying and dehumidifying unit that eliminates moisture overnight. It is recommended that you remove batteries when you place your hearing aids in these units.
If Repairs are Necessary
When you first receive your hearing aids, your audiologist will show you how to care for your hearing aids. If you find that there are problems beyond the ones listed above, it is important to contact your audiologist for hearing aid repairs.
As sensitive electronic devices, hearing aids require intricate attention and care when it comes to repair. Avoid taking them apart or using sharp objects on your hearing aids.
For issues such as fit and feedback, your audiologist will identify issues with your ear molds and offer solutions or a new impression for your ear. Additionally, it is important to visit us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services regularly to make sure that your hearing aids are functioning properly and are providing you with the best quality of sound.
