Hearing aids are essential for many people. They help them communicate with others and in their everyday routine and activities. Because of this, keeping them in ideal condition is vital.
Hearing aids are pretty durable, but they are still very tiny and complex instruments with electronic components. This means that things like earwax, heat, moisture and dirt can cause harm to them. In the following sections, an ear loss machine expert will explain some of the most common reasons for hearing aids to get damaged.
Not Keeping Them Clean
Hearing aids, like other electronic gadgets, can be harmed by moisture, but they are also close to another substance that can form difficulties – earwax. Earwax can cause hearing aids to fail or stop working entirely if it gets into the tubing and receiver. It is essential to clean hearing aids daily to keep them always working properly.
When one cleans their hearing aids, it is important to do them as instructed by an audiologist. One should avoid using water and alcohol or chemical-based cleaning agents, which can cause corrosion and irreparable damage.
Dropping Them
While hearing aids are pretty tough, they will not withstand being dropped onto a hard surface. Doing this, especially from a height, will certainly harm them, says the hearing aid device expert. When taking them out or putting them in, cleaning them, or changing the batteries, one should sit down or do it over a soft surface, such as a towel or a pillow, mainly in the early days when they are getting used to handling them.
Not Storing Them Correctly
When one is not wearing their hearing aids, what they do with them might be a major source of damage that necessitates repairs. One should avoid storing their hearing aids in damp or hot environments, such as the restroom or the car. One should find a cool, dry location and keep them there when not wearing them. It also prevents them from getting lost or knocked. One should leave the battery door open when not in use as well – this will dry out the compartment and extend its lifespan.
Wearing Them During Certain Activities
According to the ear loss machine expert, the ear machines are designed to be worn comfortably for most activities. That’s the whole point of them; to allow the user to lead a life where their hearing impairment does not hold them back. However, there are specific activities where one should not wear their hearing aids, as they can be harmed. These include:
- In a hot, steamy and moist conditions such as showers, saunas and steam rooms.
- When swimming
- While blow-drying hair
- When spraying hairspray or other deodorants near the hearing aid
Moisture, heat and chemicals that can block the microphone and receiver are all present in these situations. Even waterproof ear machines can be damaged by water if submerged for an extended time. It is good to take out the hearing aid and put them somewhere safe before doing any of these activities.
Contact Hearing Plus, a hearing aid centre in Kolkata if you suffer from hearing loss.