Preventive Care to Reduce the Need for Repairs

Hearing aids are vital for many individuals with hearing loss, providing a reliable way to enhance their hearing. Repairs are one of the most common reasons people find themselves without their hearing aids. Repairs can range from minor adjustments handled by your audiologist to more extensive fixes that require sending the device to the manufacturer. To minimize the risk of needing repairs, it’s helpful to understand the common causes of hearing aid damage. Knowing how damage occurs can help you take steps to prevent it, allowing your hearing aids to function well for a longer time.

Prioritize Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning of your hearing aids is an important part of their upkeep. Ideally, you should clean them daily when you take them out. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe them down and remove any earwax buildup as part of the process. This is also a good time to inspect your hearing aids for any signs of damage or other potential issues. Prioritizing this routine can help keep your devices in good working condition.

Battery Care

Another important step when it comes to preventive care to reduce the need for repairs is paying attention to the battery. When you’re not using your hearing aids you should remove the battery. It’s an effective way to prevent battery corrosion. You can also avoid corrosion and damage to your battery by replacing it regularly. It’s a good idea to keep some spare batteries on hand to change if your hearing aid batteries are running low, and you can continue wearing your hearing aids for the day.

Use Proper Storage Practices

If you’re going to keep your hearing aids in top condition and avoid the need for repairs, then you must use proper storage practices. You’ll want to have a designated hearing aid case that you place them in when you’re not wearing them. Ideally, you should store your hearing aids in their case in a dry place. Make sure you are keeping you hearing aids away from pets and places they could fall off, as this could damage your hearing aids. You can also consider using a hearing aid dehumidifier at night, to help pull extra moisture out of your hearing aids.

Avoid Moisture Exposure

Avoiding excess moisture is an important step in preventing the need for hearing aid repairs. Hearing aids are electronic devices, and exposure to water or high humidity can cause damage. To protect your devices, avoid wearing them while swimming, showering or in heavy rain. If you sweat heavily during physical activities, consider using a protective sleeve or drying your hearing aids regularly. There are other chemicals that can also damage your hearing aids that you’ll want to avoid like hairspray, makeup and lotion.

These are just a few ways to help prevent hearing aid repairs. If you want to learn more about how to maintain your hearing aids to keep them in optimal condition schedule an appointment with an audiologist.