4 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are essential devices that help manage hearing loss. They not only enhance your daily conversation but also your quality of life, making it vital to take good care of them. The estimated lifespan of a good-quality hearing aid is about three to seven years, and they need good care to function at their best for as long as possible. That said, here are four proven ways to extend the life of your hearing aids.

Treating hearing loss is of utmost importance for various reasons. Firstly, it significantly improves one’s quality of life by enhancing communication and social interactions. It helps maintain cognitive function and mental well-being, as untreated hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline and increased risk of conditions like dementia. Additionally, addressing hearing loss early can prevent further deterioration and potential complications. Lastly, treating hearing loss promotes safety and independence by allowing individuals to stay connected to their environment, hear warning signals and navigate daily activities with confidence.

Changing Your Ear Mold or Dome

Regularly changing your earmold or dome is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and comfort with your hearing aids. Over time, earmolds or domes can accumulate debris, earwax, or moisture, which can impact sound quality and fit. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how often to replace them, typically every three to six months. If you notice a decrease in sound clarity or feel discomfort, it may be time to replace your earmold or dome. Consulting with your audiologist or hearing care professional will ensure you receive the appropriate replacement for your specific hearing aid model.

Avoid Steam and Dehumidify

Before you shower, it helps to unplug your hearing aids from your ears, as water vapor can destroy the small electrical components in your device. When moisture reaches the casing, it can cause corrosion, leading to intermittent function. Thankfully, you can avoid this danger by storing your device in a safe room when showering. In addition to avoiding steam, it’s advisable to dehumidify your hearing aids regularly. As mentioned earlier, condensation and moisture can damage your hearing aid’s electrical circuitry. But this doesn’t only happen when you take your device to the bathroom.

During the day, the heat in your body can induce condensation inside your hearing aid. Remove the battery casing daily and dry out excess moisture to ensure this doesn’t affect your device. Another strategy to solve condensation problems is to keep your device in a special dehumidifier built for that purpose, so keep this in mind.

Clean Daily

No matter where you live, dust, wax or sweat (skin oils) will come into contact with your hearing aid as long as you use it. Harsh sunshine is another thing that can impact your device’s lifespan. When you schedule a hearing aid appointment with an audiologist, they will teach you how to clean your device, including replacing the wax filter when it is clogged.

Feel free to seek help from your audiologist if you forget how to clean your device, or better still, look through your manual, and you may find instructions to guide you. Consider using online resources like helpful YouTube videos to DIY-clean your hearing device. Practicing simple tips can greatly impact your device’s performance and longevity. However, if you’re unsure, you should seek professional assistance to avoid damaging your hearing aids.

Service When Required

If you notice that your hearing aids are not functioning properly, it’s a clear sign that you need to service them. Depending on the type of hearing aid you choose, you can fix simple faults without any hassle if you get the right replacement parts. However, you may send your device to your audiologist’s office to repair it to save yourself from stress. More complicated repairs may require you to send your hearing aid back to the manufacturer for them to fix it.

Your audiologist may advise you to visit their office every six months for regular checkups to ensure your devices are in good shape. Hearing instrument specialists can also test your hearing aids extensively to confirm whether your devices work optimally. If they observe some changes, the audiologist can reprogram or re-calibrate your hearing aid to ensure it’s working at its best.

Visit Us Today

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, Dr. Eimers Hearing Clinic is your best partner for improved hearing. Our audiologists use ultramodern equipment to diagnose and treat your hearing issues, whether you require tinnitus evaluation, hearing aid fitting, or assessment.

We aim to help you improve your quality of life through professional hearing services using a people-centred approach. Contact us today at 231-333-5118 for more info on how we can help restore your hearing to the highest level.