22nd June 2015

 

Well Maintained Hearing Aids Last Longer

Modern hearing aids are in fact micro computers dedicated to the processing and manipulation of sound. Like all computers they contain sensitive microelectronics. The processor, or brain is connected to a microphone (which picks up sound) and a receiver (the speaker part) which platys the processed sound to you. 

Wax & Moisture

The weakness in most hearing aids is the microphones and receiver. These miniature electronic components don’t react very well to exposure to moisture or wax. Hearing aid manufacturers have done everything possible to protect them, however they can not be completely cut off from the outside world.

This fact leaves them some what vulnerable and over a period of time or with a thorough exposure they may well malfunction. When something goes wrong with a hearing aid it is invariably because the microphone and receiver have been exposed to wax and moisture. It is truly a rare occurrence that the processor or other internal electronics have failed. As we know in Scotland, we get a lot of moisture in the Highlands.  

 

Hearing Aid Clean and Care

During the warranty period, any hearing aid failures are repaired by the manufacturer. If the truth is to be told though, most of those failures are actually caused by Patient care. When the warranty is finished, it is up to the individual to pay for any repairs needed. The financial costs of repairs should be incentive to maintain your hearing aids. Not just financial incentives, being without your hearing aid or hearing aids for a week as they get repaired can be an uncomfortable experience.  A little time invested in taking care of your hearing aids will pay dividends for you in the long run. 

Protect From Moisture & Wax

Moisture in the form of sweat or water vapour (condensation) caused by hot or cold temperatures affects your hearing aids and may lead to corrosion and subsequently to malfunction of the microphone or receiver. The ingression of wax into either part can lead to a blockage, if not complete failure of the electronics. In order to protect your investment you should protect your hearing aids from them as best you can.

A clean and care kit is supplied with every hearing aid, it usually includes a  wax brush and a cloth. The best time to use the wax brush is in the morning. Any wax will have dried out overnight and can be dislodged with the brush pretty easily. If you have a wax pick, use it very carefully around the sound bore. Don't forget to give the whole body of the hearing aid a brush, taking care around the microphone ports. 

If your hearing aids have been supplied with wax guards or wax caps, make sure to change them when needed. It is hard for us to give a schedule on this, because every Patient is different. Some people may produce little wax and the wax cap may have to be changed once every three to six months. Some people may produce much more and the wax cap may need to be changed monthly. 

Keeping Your Hearing Aids Dry

As part of your clean and care routine you should consider using a drying case. With our wet climate there is a lot of moisture in the air. To ensure that your hearing aids keep working and to protect their life, it is a good idea for you to have a drying procedure. Consider using the case every night, but your hearing aids should be dried at the very least, once a week. 

There is a host of options available for drying, you can choose from simple drying kits made up of a plastic tub and a tablet to more advanced electronic drying chambers that dry and sterilise. 

Avoid Contact With Hair-spray, Perfume or Make-up

When you use atomised beauty products like hair spray or perfume or powdered make up, a fine mist of the product is created. This can make its way into the microphone ports of your hearing aids and perhaps may block microphone openings, the volume control or program control. Remember to remove your hearing aids before using your beauty products.

Protect Your Hearing Aid From Dirt

Always make sure that your fingers are clean and dry before touching your hearing aid. The microphone openings are very small and be easily blocked if the hearing aids are handled with dirty or oily fingers.

Avoid Dropping Them

Try to avoid dropping your hearing aids on hard surfaces, even if only from a few inches. Hearing aids don't like impacts, in particular the function of the microphone or receiver can be damaged. It can easily happen while you are cleaning your hearing aids or changing the batteries. When you are inserting or removing your hearing aids, try to make sure to do so over a soft surface, in case the they slip out of your hand.

Protect Your Hearing Aids From Intense Heat

Try not to expose your hearing aids to intense heat and protect the devices from direct sunlight. Don't keep them in close proximity to heaters, the plastic outer cases of hearing aids are robust, but like all plastics they will melt if exposed to enough heat. 

Don't Get Your Hearing Aids Wet

Some of the most modern hearing aids are now graded waterproof, however if you are unsure, don't take a chance. Remove your hearing aids from your ear before showering, bathing or swimming. We have seen many Patients take a shower with their hearing aids in, it is just so easy to forget you are wearing them sometimes. Due to the generally high level of moisture in most bathrooms, hearing aids should not be left in there. 

Clean Your Hearing Aids Gently

Clean your hearing aids with a special moist cleansing wipe, there are many available that are designed especially for cleaning hearing devices. Avoid using alcohol, solvents or cleaning agents that could damage the devices. In order for your hearing aids to continue to function properly, the devices themselves and the ear-molds for behind-the-ear systems must always be free of earwax or other deposits. 

Store Your Hearing Aids in a Safe Place

If you are not using your hearing aids for any period of time, remove the batteries and leave the battery compartment open. In high levels of moisture, store the hearing aids in a dry case. If for any reason you take your hearing aids out during the day always put the devices in the storage case provided. Every set of hearing aids is supplied with a small travel case. Many people forget to use it, we have heard too many stories of lost hearing aids because they were put in a pocket. Inevitably what happens is that you put your hand in the pocket to pull out something and the hearing aid comes out un-noticed.  

Keep Away From Children and Pets

Its a bit like the old actors saying, don't work with children or animals, neither do your hearing aids. Store them well out of the reach of children and pets. Devices that are laying around and have not been turned off send out high-pitched sounds which can irritate the sensitive hearing of dogs. You would be astonished to know how many hearing aids we have seen eaten outright or chewed to very small pieces by household pets.

Remember these tips and you should keep your hearing aids safely working for many years. Hearing aids do occasionally break down, but it is mostly because of cleaning and care issues. Failures because of manufacturer issues are actually few and far between.