Many people have hearing issues which require the use of earmolds and hearing aids. These are specialized devices that allow people to improve their ability to hear while protecting their ears from potential deterioration. It goes without saying, therefore, that unlike other electronic devices, they face harsher conditions, being largely exposed to moisture and earwax.
As they are a significant investment – both infra-structurally and monetarily (as they cost a lot), it is extremely important to keep them safe and running for as long as possible. And proper maintenance goes a long way into making this happen.
Here are 4 ways in which you can make sure that your earmolds and hearing aids are well-maintained:
Inspect Your Hearing Aid Regularly:
Checking your hearing aid regularly goes a long way into making sure that your hearing equipment remains in top condition. The best way to start is by carrying out a daily physical inspection. Make sure to look for any potential twists, cracks and holes, and see to it that the switches and volume controls work properly and do not stick. You should also check if the tubing fits well on to the hearing aid, and for any wax or moisture on the earmold. Most audiologists provide equipment to conduct home inspections – make sure you have them at your disposal.
Besides a physical check, you must also conduct a daily listening check. In case you cannot do so by yourself, you should consider reaching out to your family members. If that is not applicable – then you must reach out to your audiologist to get regular check ups. If you are checking yourself, make sure to see if there are any signs of whistling, crackling or static. In case you find any issues with any of these checks, make sure to contact your audiologist immediately.
Clean Your Device Regularly:
The cleaner your devices are, the more will be the chance of them lasting longer. Luckily, if you have a daily checking routine, integrating a daily cleaning one will not be much of a hassle. To start with, ensure that you store your device in a dry and safe place when it is not in use.
Make sure to wipe your earmold every day (or every other day at least) using a soft dry cloth or a dry wipe – remember, earwax tends to build-up regularly due to daily wear-and-tear. When cleaning, make sure to avoid sharp objects, and use an audiologist-approved wax tool (most offer them). Make sure to wipe the hearing aids as well. Besides this, you should also test the batteries and check out if they have lowered down over time. If the batteries go less than over a third of their power, consider replacing them to improve your device’s performance.
Have A Schedule To Your Inspections:
Not all hearing aids are built the same, and similarly they require different approaches to cleaning and maintenance. While some may be done once per week, others have to be done daily. So, make sure that you maintain a schedule to maintain these two types of activities.
Generally, cleaning and wiping needs to be done daily, and a deeper cleaning can be done once a week. Deep cleaning should be done by washing earmolds with warm water and mild soap, and dried using an air blower. They should only be replaced back once they are fully moisture-free. However, in case your ears produce more earwax than the average person, you may need to adjust your schedule to wash your earmolds more often.
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