According to a study, two to four people out of 1000 are deaf. This research also points out that one person out of every 1000 becomes deaf before reaching 18. While this impairment may change their lifestyle, this does not mean that they should miss out on the best things in life. This is where hearing aids come in handy.
Purchasing your first pair of hearing aids is a life-altering moment as wearing it allows you to enjoy what the world has to offer, even with your condition. Like any other investment, you must take care of your hearing aid. However, unlike other electrical devices, it does not operate in ideal conditions all the time.
Even when in use, your hearing aids will get battered from earwax and moisture inside your ears. Thankfully, regular cleaning and routine maintenance will make them serve you for a very long time. Let us learn more about the basics of cleaning one of your essential accessories.
How Basic Care Guidelines for Hearing Aids Should I Know
A wax pick and brush are essential when cleaning your hearing aids to remove accumulated earwax. If these aren’t removed, it will lead you to hear muffled sounds. You might even be hearing some whistling because of this. If these obstructions are left unattended, they will eventually damage the receiver.
It would be best to always wash your hands before holding your hearing aids as a precautionary measure to prevent the transfer of germs and bacteria. When cleaning your hearing aids, you should avoid using alcohol-based products. These chemicals can harm your devices. Additionally, it would be best if you keep them off when you bathe. Remember that they are electrical devices, so they should not get wet.
It is also not prudent to put them on while applying your hair styling products since these substances may also damage your hearing aids. More importantly, it would be best to clean them before going to bed. Doing this will allow air to dry them out as you sleep.
How to Clean ITE (in the ear) Hearing Aids
If you have an ITE model, focus on the openings of the device. Carefully clean the microphone ports with a soft-bristle toothbrush or brush provided by your hearing specialist. It would be best to hold it with the opening that you are cleaning downward. This position allows any debris to fall out.
Your next step is to clear anything that did not dislodge with the use of the brush. You can use a wax pick or hook to remove these particles. Lastly, wipe the entire device with a clean, dry cloth or tissue.
How to Clean BTE (behind the ear) Hearing Aids
The first step to clean your behind-the-ear hearing aids is to inspect the device thoroughly. If you find any particle of dust or debris, you can use a soft brush or dry cloth to remove it. Your next step is to remove the earmold from the hold and clean it. This procedure will get rid of any marks of discoloration or faint odor.
Keep in mind that a strong odor from your device may mean that you have an ear infection. In this case, you should immediately visit your hearing specialist.
Conclusion
Your hearing aid is an accessory that you cannot live without. It allows you to continue enjoying life and all the beautiful sounds you can hear. This is why you must take good care of them for long-term use.
If you are looking for a reputable hearing specialist in Massachusetts, you do not have to look far. At Hear More Associates, we do not just offer hearing aids. We give you a new lease on life, so call us now for more information!
