A hearing aid is a valuable investment that can improve one’s life in countless ways. These six do’s and don’ts will help you to wear your hearing aid safely and comfortably, and show you how to prevent damage to this crucial instrument.

As with many electronics, moisture is one of the most potentially damaging things to hearing aids. Do your best to keep your devices from coming into contact with water, and always make sure to remove your hearing aids before showering, swimming, going out into the rain, washing your face, or any other scenario where you are likely to become wet. Humidity can also be harmful to hearing aids, so consider buying a dehumidifying unit to store your devices in at night–especially if you live in (or are travelling to) a place with a humid climate.

Before starting your day, take a moment to make sure that your hearing aids are functioning properly. Some devices will play a melody when they are turned on, and others will turn on without making sound. To quickly check amplification levels, rub your hands next to your ears after inserting your aids–you should be able to hear the sound clearly. A quick check of your hearing aids every morning will not only help you to know when they need maintenance, it will also prevent you from being caught out in public or at work without a way to hear the sounds around you.

Hairspray can gum up hearing devices and wreak havoc on their internal components, which can be quite difficult to remove. With this in mind, always make sure to remove hearing aids from your ears before applying hairspray, and be sure that it’s dry before putting your devices back in. This step could add a few minutes to your daily routine, but will help to protect your hearing devices and ensure they continue to function effectively.

Always make sure to shut off your hearing aid at night to avoid killing the battery. You can turn off your device by opening the battery door. Opening the battery door also serves the purpose of keeping your hearing aid dry by allowing air into the device, which is important for preventing moisture build-up. You can also remove the battery while not in use. Even with these conservation efforts, all batteries eventually need to be replaced. As a rule, smaller devices have smaller batteries which need to be changed more frequently. Most hearing aids beep to notify you of a low battery; change the battery as soon as this signal is heard. Also – be sure to keep a set of extra batteries on hand, just in case!

Children and babies love to put things in their mouths, especially things they aren’t supposed to have–as any parent will attest. A stray battery can be accidentally swallowed by a child in a second, and it is not always easily apparent that they have done so. This tiny yet dangerous item can burn a hole in the esophagus, sometimes causing irreparable damage — so keep your hearing aid batteries well out of reach of your children and grandchildren. If you suspect a child has swallowed a battery, go to the emergency room immediately.

Starting out slowly and gently is a good way to get used to wearing hearing aids. Your ears (and your brain) need time to adjust–so start with wearing devices for small intervals of 3 to 5 hours per day for the first couple of weeks. During this time, you may find adjustments need to be made, and don’t be afraid to contact your hearing specialists with any questions that arise. When you become comfortable with your hearing aids, increase wearing time by 1 to 2 hours every day. Soon you be able to wear them all day with ease!

If you have any questions about the functionality of your hearing aids, or to schedule regular maintenance, contact us at HeaRite!