Posted by: Eye Centers of Florida in Uncategorized
I Have a Hearing Aid – Now What?
If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, there’s a chance you may be using a hearing aid to correct it. Hearing aids are the best option to improve both your hearing and your quality of life because these tiny devices allow you to better communicate with the world around you.
But just like with any other piece of technology, hearing aids require upkeep to ensure that they’re working to the best of their ability.
How to Care for Your Hearing Aid
Preventative maintenance is essential in making sure your hearing aid is providing you with the best possible results. Here are some tips for taking care of your hearing aid:
Keep it Clean
When you take out your hearing aid before bed, use a soft, dry cloth — never alcohol or any other cleaning product — to remove any moisture or earwax which may have built up on the receiver and microphone during the day. If you use hairspray on your hair in the morning, be sure to use it before you put your hearing aid in, as such cosmetics can clog the microphone. And, as always, wash your hands before putting in, taking out, cleaning, or otherwise handling your hearing aid.
Keep it Dry
Remove your hearing aid when bathing, showering, or swimming. The accumulation of moisture can adversely affect the performance of your hearing aid, so don’t store it in the bathroom or anywhere else with high humidity.
Take Out the Batteries
When not in use, leaving batteries in your hearing aid for a long period of time can cause them to corrode. Experts recommend removing them at night and leaving the battery compartment open to air out any moisture that may have accumulated during the day.
Schedule Hearing Aid Tune-Ups
Even if you take great care of your hearing aid and you don’t think anything is wrong, it is important to schedule annual tune-ups with a hearing aid specialist to make sure you are experiencing the best possible hearing results.
If it Breaks, Bring it In
Hearing aids are extremely sophisticated devices which use delicate, sensitive technology, so if yours breaks, don’t take a screwdriver to it yourself! Improper handling can cause irreparable damage to your hearing aid, so bring it to a hearing aid specialist to have it fixed. Just like taking your car into a proper mechanic, it’s important to have your hearing aid checked out by an expert who knows what they’re looking for.
What Next?
At Eye Centers of Florida, we believe your hearing is just as important as your vision, and our goal is to be your lifelong partners in both. Not only do we provide free hearing assessments, but our Award-Winning Hearing Aid Specialist Chris Trimble also provides hearing-aid cleaning and tune-ups, even if you didn’t get your hearing aid from us.
We realize that some of our patients don’t live in Southwestern Florida year-round, so wherever you bought your hearing aid, we can help you optimize it! Schedule an appointment today and see what Eye Centers of Florida can do for you!
