How to Extend the Life of Your Hearing Aids

Murphy’s Law tells us that “if anything can go wrong, it will.” A better variation might be that “things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance.”

In terms of vehicle maintenance, that’s the reason we change the oil in our cars, replace the filters, and rotate the tires. We’re aiming to preserve our investment and stretch its life.

You should certainly consider hearing aids in a similar manner. If you give things a chance to go wrong, they will; but if you’re proactive in your care and maintenance, your hearing aids can persist and perform properly for years.

So what are the things that can go wrong? The following are the three primary threats to your hearing aids and what you can do to protect against them.

1. Physical breakdown

Enemy # 1 is physical damage. Hearing aids consist of sensitive electronics that are prone to damage from shock. To defend against this, ensure that you store your hearing aids in their storage cases anytime you’re not wearing them.

An effective rule of thumb is that your hearing aids should be either in your ears or in the storage case at all times. Leaving your hearing aids unprotected on any surface is just asking for Murphy’s Law to come and knock them off. Likewise, when you’re inserting or removing your hearing aids, it’s a good idea to do this over a soft surface in the event that they fall.

In addition, take the time to check and replace the batteries often. You’re not doing the electronics any favors by having the hearing aids work on low battery power.

2. Moisture

Electronics and water do not mix, which anyone who’s dropped a mobile phone in the sink understands all too well. Once immersed, there’s not much that can be done. But it requires a lot less than complete submersion in water to ruin your hearing aids.

Water, in the form of mist, can still work its way into the hearing aids and begin causing chaos. Because of this, you should avoid using hairspray, insect spray, or any other sprays while using your hearing aids. Also, keep in mind that radical changes in temperature can create condensation, for example moving from a climate-controlled room to the outdoors. If this happens, ensure that you dry off any wetness that develops.

We also highly recommend not keeping your hearing aids in the bathroom, as the condensation can generate problems. This is an additional reason that your bedside table drawer is probably the best spot to store your hearing aids when not in use.

3. Earwax and dirt

Even if you’ve defended your hearing aids against physical damage and water with proper storage and the prevention of moisture, you’ll still need to protect against enemy # 3: dirt and grime.

Earwax, dust, and debris can accumulate on the hearing aids, blocking the speakers, ports, and other elements. To defend against this, 1) maintain proper ear hygiene, and 2) clean and sanitize your hearing aids every day.

Concerning cleaning and sanitizing your hearing aids, make sure to use only the equipment provided by your hearing professional. Your hearing professional can provide cleaning kits and guidance specifically for your type of hearing aids.

Finally, think about purchasing a hearing aid sanitizer. Sanitizers make use of ultraviolet light to comprehensively kill pathogens, all while providing a safe place for storage.