Denis Caplun
Buying a hearing aid is an important step in restoring lost abilities. Patients spend time and money to hear well again. An unexpected breakdown of devices is a serious problem for any hard-of-hearing person. The average lifespan of a hearing aid is three to five years. But you can extend it if you follow some simple tips from hearing care professionals!
The greatest enemy of hearing aids is water. Do not allow liquids to enter or contact the surface of the devices, including copious amounts of sweat. Do not use your hearing aids (except moisture-proof ones) while showering or bathing, visiting the swimming pool, etc. Dry the devices after each use. Use hearing dehumidifiers for it by removing the devices before going to bed. If you do not have dehumidifiers, open the battery compartment, remove the battery, and keep them that way overnight.
Audiologists recommend cleaning your hearing aids as often as possible. If you have free time, take care of your electronic aids. Use hearing aid cleaning supplies. They are available at any audiology clinic or specialty store. Remember that moisture of any kind is detrimental to electronic devices. Therefore, do not use wet wipes or water to clean the housing. Use only dry wipes.
Hearing aids are complex medical devices made up of different components. Some of them need to be replaced when needed. For example, the batteries need to be replaced from time to time. So buy hearing aid supplies in advance and replace the component with a new one right away.
If you do not use the device for a short period, be sure to turn it off. If you are not going to use it for a long time, remove the battery. Store batteries for your hearing instruments in a cool, dry place.
A child or a pet can break the hearing aid while playing. In addition, some parts (e.g. batteries) can be very harmful to your child. Therefore, keep your devices out of reach. It can be a special hearing case, placed in a closet, etc. No one but you should have access to the storage place!
