While most New Year’s Resolutions are about exercise, health and finances, you might consider adding a Resolution about taking good care of your hearing aids to your list. Hearing aids are durable and designed to withstand the heavy, daily use they are subjected to, but you can increase their lifespan even further by practicing good hearing aid hygiene and maintenance. Here’s an everyday ten-minute routine that you can adopt to keep your hearing aids in good condition for longer.
Clean Your Hearing Aids Every Day
How often do you clean your hearing aids? Ideally, you clean them every day. This removes the daily buildup of earwax, oils and sweat from your ears and dust or debris that may have landed on them. It is the buildup from earwax, moisture and dust that can cause malfunctions and damage to your hearing aids.
This cleaning routine takes ten minutes or less and can be done when you remove your hearing aids before bed.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Use a tissue or soft cloth to wipe down all parts of the body of the hearing aid. Hold the hearing aid upside down when cleaning ports and openings, so any dislodged debris falls out rather than becoming deeper embedded.
- Use your hearing aid brush to clean the microphone. Brush gently; the microphone is one of the more delicate parts of your hearing aid. Don’t scrape the brush or push too hard.
- Check the wax guard and change it if necessary.
Care for the Batteries
Your hearing aids are powered by batteries, so take good care of the health of your batteries. If you wear rechargeable hearing aids, charge them overnight on their charger. Charging them fully every day keeps the batteries healthy and provides a full day of listening.
If your hearing aids use replaceable batteries, there are some small habits you can get into to prolong each battery’s life. The first habit is to store them wisely. Battery life will drain slightly while they wait on your shelf, but they will drain at a slower rate if they’re not kept in extreme conditions, such as heat, cold or humidity. Store them in a cool, dry place. Also, watch the expiration date on your battery packs. Try to avoid buying batteries with an expiration date of less than a year from your purchase date, and always use your oldest batteries first.
The second habit is to regularly air out the battery compartment. You can open the door to the compartment after completing your cleaning regimen, allowing it to air out overnight. This allows the batteries to breathe and enables any moisture in the compartment to evaporate.
Set a Reminder
Making new habits can be difficult. We all live busy lives, and it’s easy to forget to complete the task if you’re not in the habit of it yet. One thing you can do to help with this is to set reminders for yourself to clean your hearing aids and care for the batteries. Set an alarm on your phone that will go off at the same time every day, or put a sticky note on your bedside table so you see it before bed. This will help you establish the habit into your daily life.
If you have any questions about hearing aid cleaning or maintenance you can perform at home, call North Alabama ENT Associates. We would be happy to share our favorite tips and tricks to keep your hearing devices in peak condition. Additionally, if it’s been a while since your last hearing health checkup, consider making an appointment. Call us today to schedule!