Hearing Aids: Maintenance Tips to Prolong Their Lifespan
If you suffer from hearing loss, keeping your hearing aids in pristine condition is prudent to ensure you are aware of audio cues in your surroundings. Nevertheless, just like other electronic devices, these aids can also acquire damage over time that will cause them to malfunction. What some people do not realise, though, is that some of these malfunctions can be prevented if you take proper care and maintenance of your hearing aids. Below are some of the maintenance tips that you could use to prolong the lifespan of your hearing aids.
Keep your hearing aids away from moisture
Most people will take this maintenance tip for granted as they assume it only means ensuring that the aids do not drop into water. The reality is even atmospheric moisture can wreak havoc on the functionality of your hearing aids. This is especially true during the warmer months when the weather is humid. Instead of leaving your hearing aids out in the air when you are not using them, you should ensure that they are safely stored in an airtight container. This will prevent any condensation from forming that could gradually rust the internal metallic components of the hearing aids.
In addition to this, you could also consider investing in a special humidifying case for your hearing aids. This will ensure that your hearing aids are always free from the risk of moisture damage whenever they are not in your ears.
Regularly change the batteries of the hearing aids
One little-known fact about hearing aid batteries is that they can eventually cause irreversible damage to these devices if they are left inside them for a prolonged period of time. This is especially true if the hearing aids are in storage rather than being in use. Over time, condensation can become trapped in the hearing aids, which in turn will cause the batteries to start corroding. As the corrosion develops, it not only damages the batteries but also the internal components of the hearing aids. If you will not be using your hearing aids for some time, even for a couple of days, ensure that you take out the batteries and store them in a cool and dry place that would be free from temperature changes.
In addition to removing the batteries, inspect the battery contacts for any grime that may have accumulated on them. If there is dirt, gently wipe it away using a cotton swab. If the dirt is left, it could gradually begin to affect the connection between the batteries and the hearing aids and this will impede on the performance of these devices.
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