For most of our patients, hearing aids are a significant investment. That means they have an interest in keeping them functional for as long as possible before having to upgrade to a new set. One question we hear pretty often is, “How can I keep my hearing aids working for as long as possible?” These four strategies should help you get maximum mileage out of yours.
Keep Them Earwax-Free
Your ears naturally produce a certain amount of earwax. (Actually, having a hearing aid in your ear may cause it to produce even more earwax.) Regardless, the way to keep earwax out of your hearing aids is to clean them regularly.
The best thing you can do in this regard is to make cleaning a part of our nightly routine — when you take out your hearing aids for the day, give them a quick cleaning, and they’ll be ready to go for the next day. Doing this is actually much easier than getting behind on the cleanings and then desperately trying to clean built-up earwax from all the nooks and crannies of your hearing aid.
Keep Them Dry
The inner ear is a naturally moist environment, and moisture is a huge culprit in hearing aids breaking down. Using a storage case that is also a dryer and dehumidifier can combat this. We have several in stock that cost around $70—a small investment relative to the price of your hearing aids.
Don’t Lose Them
You would not believe how many patients misplace their hearing aids and need to come in to get another pair from us. The best remedy for losing your hearing aids? Wearing your hearing aids consistently, which means you’ll always know where they are likely to be.
If you always wear your hearing aids, you’ll likely only be taking them off at the end of the day during your bedtime routine, and then you’ll know exactly where you left them, on your bathroom countertop.
Get Them Serviced
Like any other sophisticated apparatus, hearing aids can benefit from the occasional maintenance. Regular clean and checks and maintenance at your audiologist can do just that. You should be seeing your audiologist annually, but more frequent visits like every 4-6 months will ensure the hearing aid is working optimally. This is particularly important with brand new hearing aids that are still being dialed in to perfectly suit you, and also with hearing aids that are nearing the end of their useful life.
Have a question about how to keep your hearing aids in top working condition for longer? We’re here to help! Reach out to us to schedule an appointment!
