Your hearing aids are what allow you to reconnect with the world around you, allowing you to rejoin the conversations that are taking place around you. They also help you maintain your balance, reduce your risk of cognitive decline, and prevent other negative mental and physical conditions.
Because they are such a valuable part of allowing you to live a more active and independent lifestyle, not to mention a pretty significant investment, taking good care of your hearing aids should be among your highest priorities.
We want you to get all of the advantages your hearing aids have to offer by ensuring that they perform as designed. So, the team at Gulf Gate Hearing Aid Center has put together a list of things you should and should not do with your hearing aids while you are going about your normal daily routine.
What You Should Do
Here are some quick tips on what you should do to ensure that you get the most benefit from your hearing aids.
Wear your hearing aids all day every day.
Do your best to wear your hearing aids during all waking hours of the day, every day! If you are a new user, you may need to adjust gradually, starting with 3 to 5 hours per day, and increasing duration for the first couple of weeks, adding an hour or two each day. After a reasonable break-in period, if your hearing aids cause pain or discomfort, contact your audiologist.
Store your hearing aids in a protected place.
Always tore your hearing aids in the hard case they came in, the hearing aid dehumidifier case or charging box. Make sure to store them away from sunlight and heating vents. In our humid climate, you really should not be without a hearing aid dehumidifier.
Establish a nightly cleaning routine.
Cleaning wax and debris from your hearing aids each night, as outlined in your hearing aid manual, is the best way to ensure they perform properly and last longer. In case of exposure to humidity or perspiration, dry the battery contacts with a cotton swab and/or use a hearing aid dehumidifier. Never attempt to dry them in a clothes dryer or microwave!
Inspect your hearing aids daily.
When you clean them, inspect the case for cracks and make sure there are no loose or exposed wires. When you first insert them each day, check that they are working by rubbing your hands together near each of your ears – you should be able to hear the rubbing sound clearly.
Always have spare batteries on hand.
If you are using a traditional hearing aid, always have spare batteries on hand and replace them as soon as the low-battery warning sound begins.
Keep them away from strong electromagnetic fields.
If you require X-rays, CAT and MRI scans and other procedures that use a powerful electromagnetic field, be sure to remove your hearing aids to prevent damage to the delicate electronic components.
What You Should Not Do
Your hearing aids include delicate electronic components that are easily damaged, so they need to be handled with plenty of TLC. To prevent damage and ensure that your hearing aids perform as designed, there are several things you should avoid, including:
- Keep them away from moisture (shower, bathroom, swimming pool, hottub, sauna, etc.). Excess moisture can also be the result of builtup earwax. Call us for professional earwax removal.
- Avoid exposing them to too much heat. Don’t wear them when using a hair dryer, leave them on a window sill or the dash of your car, near a stove or radiator.
- Keep them away from hairspray, perfumes, cleaning solutions and other harsh chemicals.
- Don’t leave your hearing aids in to sleep, because it is too easy for them to become damaged without your knowledge. We advise you to clean your hearing aids at night so they are in their drying case while you sleep.
- Don’t store the batteries in the refrigerator or store your hearing aids for an extended period of time with the batteries inside.
- Avoid storing your hearing aids within reach of small children or pets. In addition to potential damage, swallowing a battery is a true medical emergency, and many children and pets die each year from eating batteries.
- DON’T attempt to repair your hearing aids yourself. Repairing your hearing aids requires specialized equipment and training to ensure proper function and protect its warranty. Contact us for professional hearing aid repair.
Answering Your Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Questions
Though you should leave repairs and maintenance to trained professionals, there are some issues that may arise during your daily routine that are easy to address at home. Here is a short list of common hearing aid troubleshooting questions and how to solve them.
What do I do if my hearing aids are whistling?
Known as feedback, hearing aid whistling is caused by the amplified sound being sent back through the microphone in an endless loop. Follow these steps to eliminate the problem:
- Ensure the device is inserted properly.
- Make sure the volume is not too loud.
- Change the wax filter, if applicable.
- Avoid pressing your phone or other electronic to close to your hearing aid.
- Address excess buildup of earwax, whether through professional care or safe DIY methods.
What do I do to fix weak or distorted sound?
A weak or distorted signal is usually an issue with the battery or a low charge. Here’s how to make troubleshoot this issue:
- Make sure you are using the right battery that is properly activated and inserted in the battery compartment.
- Ensure that the battery compartment is free of debris, moisture and/or corrosion.
- Rechargeable devices should be given a good charge following the proper charging procedures.
- Other issues are a clogged earmold and/or a broken receiver wire. Clean and inspect your device according to manufacturer directions and bring your hearing aid in for professional repair.
What do I do if there is no sound from my hearing aids?
If your hearing aids produce no sound, it is either not receiving power or the microphone is muted. Here are the steps to take for troubleshooting this issue:
- Ensure it is powered on.
- If there’s already a battery installed, replace it with a fresh one.
- Ensure both the hearing aid and the charger are fully charged.
- Check to see if the earmold is clogged, gently clean it according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Check for damage to the case or loose wires. Bring it in for professional repair if you find either of these problems.
Why is my hearing aid not connecting to my Bluetooth device?
Bluetooth pairing is a necessary step in the process of using your hearing aid along with your smartphone or other digital deviee. If you’re having trouble pairing your hearing technology with another Bluetooth-enabled electronic device, follow these steps:
- Ensure Bluetooth is activate on your hearing aid and the other device.
- Confirm the devices aren’t already paired, which may occur automatically at times.
- Make sure your equipment and hearing aid are within range (30 feet or less) for the connection to take place.
- Ensure that any required app or Wi-Fi access is on.
- Disconnect other devices that are paired to the device with which you’re trying to pair.
- Restart the pairing process, following the instructions in your hearing aid manual.
Gulf Gate Provides Help with Proper Hearing Aid Care
We are well aware of how valuable your hearing aids are when it comes to improving your quality of life and keeping you connected with the world around you. It is our goal to help you enjoy all of the advantages your hearing aids provide.
To help you achieve your better hearing objectives, we provide ongoing counseling, troubleshooting support, hearing aid maintenance, repair and more at Gulf Gate Hearing Aid Center.
Contact us if you need a little extra help with your hearing aids or to schedule an appointment using this link or call us in Bradenton at (941) 795-2811 or in Sarasota at (941) 922-5894.
