Caring For Your Listening Aids from a Hearing Center

If you've been fitted with a listening aid at your local hearing center, you should be aware of some basic tips to help you take care of your device. As durable and long lasting as many of these devices are, they are still complex electronic products, meaning that a little care will go a long way. Many of them aren't cheap, which means you probably don't want to go through the hassle and expense of replacing one of them if you don't have to. If you follow these tips and use some common sense in your use of the device, there's little reason why it shouldn't last several years.

Avoid Heat and Water

These two elements can be murder for your listening aids and, if they don't kill them right away, they can cause them to lose much of their longevity. Take out your listening aid when you take a shower and set it outside the bathroom. Don't leave it in a hot car, or subject it to other elements that you wouldn't subject typical electronics to.

Replace Batteries Quickly

While it matters little if you leave dead batteries in one of the older or cheaper models of listening aids, this is a bad idea if you're dealing with one of the digital models. If they are left without power for too long, they may lose their settings. A hearing center near you will be able to make adjustments, but this is a lot of trouble to go through when the alternative is simply changing out the batteries quickly.

Clean as Directed

A listening aid will need to be cleaned from time to time, but it's important that you do so in the directed manner. Talk to your local hearing center or contact the manufacturer if you have questions as to the appropriate way to clean your aid. We've already covered the dangers of subjecting it to water, so make sure you use approved solvents and cleaning supplies, unless you want to risk losing functionality.

Keep In a Safe Place

If you have kids, pets, or anyone else in your house that might be a hazard to your listening aid (or vice versa), remember to keep it out of reach when not in use. Many an individual has had to make an appointment with their nearest hearing center for a replacement because the dog decided it looked like the perfect item to chew for flavor. If you have rechargeable batteries, make sure you keep them out of the reach of prying hands and paws as well.