Hearing aids are small electronic devices designed to improve hearing by amplifying sounds. As our parents or grandparents grow older, they may require additional assistance with maintaining or improving their hearing, and many are recommended for using these devices.
After acquiring hearing aids, older adults should take appropriate steps to maintain and care for them. Proper upkeep of hearing aids means keeping an enjoyable hearing experience for an extended time. Also, adequate care will ensure the device lasts well, maximizing its lifespan while minimizing any potential problems you may experience with everyday use.
At Seasons Retirement, we encourage our residents to keep their existing physicians and receive care from them. We also provide access to an in-house doctor and telemedicine systems to assist with their health and hearing needs.
Caring for delicate devices like hearing aids isn’t all that challenging. This piece discusses some helpful maintenance practices to ensure your older ones get the most out of their hearing aids.
Here are some helpful tips on how to care for hearing aids.
Even though many hearing aids are strong and durable, there’s still a need to handle these devices cautiously.
Allowing moisture to come in contact with hearing aids can damage their critical internal components. So, older adults shouldn’t wear these devices when swimming or in the shower. Regardless of whether they are water-resistant or not, proper hearing aids care demands that these devices are kept away from moisture.
If, despite your best efforts, the hearing aids come into contact with water or any moisture, quickly wipe them dry with a clean towel. Avoid using a hairdryer or other high-heat appliances to speed up the process, as the heat can negatively affect the device.
Regular cleaning of hearing aids can go a long way in preventing hearing loss in older ones and help keep the device functioning optimally. Gently wipe the device with a clean and dry cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
Older loved ones can use tools with their hearing aids to remove wax buildup. A brush, dehumidifier, and wax pick are great for cleaning hearing aid devices. In addition, older adults can consider scheduling a professional cleaning service once every four to six months.
Batteries in hearing aid devices are not permanent and often need frequent replacements. And the aids may malfunction once the batteries run low.
For proper hearing aid care, turn off the batteries when not in use. Sometimes, moisture can get into the batteries, causing them to corrode if not checked. You can air the batteries to dry out residual water in such cases.
It’s crucial to replace the batteries for hearing aids regularly and clean the battery contacts with a clean and dry cotton swab, as this can prevent poor connection and reduced efficiency.
Getting rid of earwax buildup is an integral part of hearing aid care. Although earwax benefits the ears, it’s much less so for hearing aids. In fact, earwax buildup is one of the significant reasons for technical problems and performance issues with hearing aids.
That said, it’s impossible to completely prevent earwax from building up on hearing aids. This is why it’s always essential to inspect and clean the devices daily. Hearing aids come with wax filters to help prevent buildup from affecting performance. Change the filter whenever there’s a buildup of earwax, and use the proper wax filter for the hearing aids as the manufacturer recommends.
Properly storing these hearing devices help preserve and elongate their lifespan. Users are encouraged to keep them in a cool and dry place — away from moisture and humid conditions — when not in use.
Another critical aspect of hearing aid care is keeping them safe from children and pets and avoiding storing these devices in busy places where they can be brushed, pushed, or dropped, as well as overly cold or hot places.
While your older loved ones can benefit from hearing aids maintenance and care, some standard tools can help keep hearing aids in excellent condition. They include:
Hearing aids usually come with a cleaning brush. A soft cleaning brush helps clean parts of the device and removes dust and other dirt on its body. The bristles can clean holes and remove wax that settles inside the hearing aid.
Also, some cleaning brushes have a magnetic battery to help users easily clean their hearing aids.
Wax guards come in various sizes and help protect hearing aids from wax. Attaching the wax guard to the aid device keeps it safe from wax, moisture, and dirt. Another helpful tool, the wax pick, is specially designed to help clear out wax and prevent it from blocking the openings and nooks of the hearing aids.
Ventilation cleaners remove earwax and dirt from the vents of the hearing aids. They’re similar to pipe cleaners but are more flexible. Cleaning out hearing aids using a ventilator cleaner involves carefully pushing them through the hearing aid vent hole until the dirt comes from the other side. Then, you can use a dry piece of tissue to remove the excess dirt.
Multitools are all-encompassing, featuring tools like brushes, vent cleaners, and wax picks. Some multitools have a magnetic pole for attaching the hearing aid battery. This helps older adults insert new batteries without dropping the aid or battery.
As adults age, many turn to hearing aids to improve their hearing. These hearing aids, like other electronic devices, require proper maintenance to remain functional for a long time.
If your hearing aid requires repair beyond primary care and maintenance, refrain from attempting to fix it yourself. Instead, notify an audiologist or hearing care expert for professional advice.