It is inevitable. Getting older is a symptom of being human. According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 28.8 million Americans between the ages of 20-69 could benefit from a hearing aid. One out of three people between the ages of 65-74 has hearing loss. Sadly, hearing loss also affects children. Out of 1000 children born in the United States, 2 to 3 children are born with noticeable hearing loss. In 2016, 3.65 million hearing aids were dispersed in the US. Hearing aids can be quite pricey, ranging from $1000 to $4000, so it is important to take daily care of them.
- Check the batteries: Using a battery tester, make sure the batteries still have good strength to ensure the hearing aid is working efficiently and you are getting clear sound. Batteries have a life of 1 to 2weeks.
- Moisture Problems: Don’t for to take out your hearing aid during your daily care routine, such as a shower. It’s not the end of the line for your hearing aid if it does get wet. Just make sure to immediately let the hearing aid and the battery completely dry out.
- Ear Wax: Ear wax can accumulate on the speaker of the hearing aid. With a wax pick or brush, carefully and gently remove the wax. Prolonged wax buildup can damage the hearing aid.
- Clean Your Hearing Aids Daily: Like anything else, dirt will build up on your hearing aid. Before you go to bed, use a soft and dry cloth to clean the earmold. Also, wipe down the outside of the device to remove any dirt that came from day-to-day activities.
- Listening Check: This task is important to make certain you are getting the most out of the hearing aid. Examine the exterior of the hearing aid to make sure nothing is broken. Then using the listening tube tool given by your audiologist, perform a listening test. Place one end of the listening tube in your ear and the other in the earmold.
Have a question about hearing aids or need to learn more about proper maintenance and care? call the Shea Clinic today to set up an appointment with our experts. Call now locally at 901-761-9720 or toll-free at 800-477-SHEA.