When you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, hearing aids can become one of the most important possessions in your life. The way that hearing aid technology has revolutionized the modern experience of hearing-impaired people is not something to underestimate. However, as advantageous as they are, these are still often delicate pieces of hardware that can be susceptible to all manner of risks. Here, we’re going to look at a few of them, as well as what you should do to protect and care for them.
Moisture And Humidity
Perhaps one of the greatest threats to hearing aids, as well as one of the most common causes of malfunctions, water is able to damage the internal circuitry, as well as reduce the performance of microphones and receivers. High levels of humidity in the air, sweat, rain, and even accidental spills of water can cause anything from light distortions ot total device failure. As such, it’s important ot protect your devices by keeping them out of the rain as best as possible, and not wearing them in the bathroom while bathing or washing. You might want to invest in a drying case or dehumidifier to keep them dry when not wearing them, too.
Sun And Heat Exposure
The summer can bring a host of dangers to be mindful of. Condensation and high humidity levels are one factor to keep an eye on, but the heat itself can be a big risk. Excessive heat can damage the plastic casings of your hearing aids, as well as affect the microphones and battery performance. This risk is exacerbated through direct contact with the usnlgiht. As such, you should follow summer tips for hearing aid care, such as keeping your hearing aids in a cool, shaded spot when not wearing them, or wearing wide-brimmed hats to avoid the sunlight even while you’re wearing them.
Excessive Cold
Just as the heat of summer can be damaging to your hearing aids, so too can the extreme colds of winter. Very low temperature levels can cause your batteries to lose power much more quickly, can cause them to shut down unexpectedly, and even reduce their total battery life. The risk of condensation when moving from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors is also a risk to be mindful of. If temperatures get below freezing, leaving your hearing aids out can even cause components such as the casing to stiffen and crack. When you’re outdoors in the cold, try to keep your hearing aids protected under hats or earmuffs if they don’t affect their performance too much. Otherwise, you might want to carry some spare batteries to ensure you’re not left entirely without power.
Excessively Loud Noises
While your hearing aids might seem like they’re built to handle environmental noise, and this can include helping you hear in noisy environments, they can still be susceptible to extremely loud noises. For instance, the levels of noise from concerts, fireworks, or machinery can strain the microphones and internal components. Sudden, loud blasts of loud noise can be especially damaging, overloading the sound processors. This can be highly unpleasant in the short term, but may even cause long-term damage. A lot of modern hearing aids have built-in protections to limit exposrure ot loud noises, but it’s still best to avoid the wear and tear they can cause when you’re able, in order to preserve sound quality.
Exposure To Chemicals
If you’re aiming to take good care of your hearing aids, then you’re likely aware of the fact that they need to be cleaned routinely. However, they should never be cleaned with household chemicals, alcohol, disinfectants, or sprays. Aside from the fact that you should avoid exposure to moisture across the board, many of these chemicals can erode the protective coatings that shield vital components, as well as damage parts like the microphone more directly. If you’re looking to clean your hearing aids, then you should only use tools like soft brushes, microfiber cloths, and dry wipes. If that doesn’t dislodge it, then you should look to a professional who can use more precise tools. Similarly, avoid putting your hearing aids in contact with lotions, hairspray, perfumes, or sunscreens. Put those products on first, then your hearing aids after (providing you have washed and dried your hands).
Dropping Or Impact Damage
Hearing aids are typically relatively small and lightweight. As such, it’s very easy to drop them, to accidentally step or sit on them, or to knock them off shelves. However, you must try to prevent this as best as possible, as even a short fall onto a hard surface can crack casing, damage micorphones, loosen wiring, or cause other internal components to be knocked out of place. If you’re handling your hearing aids by hand, such as when you’re cleaning them, try to do it on a soft surface, like your bed or a folded towel. If you’re wearing your hearing aids while being active, then use secure clips to hold them in place, as well. Be mindful when removing hats, glasses, or masks, as your hearing aids can often get caught in them, too.
Dust, Dirt, And Pollutants
As mentioned, you need to clean your hearing aids, and you should do it every day if you’re active or come in contact with frequent pollutants. This includes not just regular dust, but also pet dander, which dogs and cats can produce a lot of indoors. These pollutants can, over time, clog your microphones and vents, and they can also lead to the buildup of moisture over time. Cleaning your hearing aids daily is a must, but maintaining a clean home environment can help, as well.
If you value your hearing aids, you need to treat them like you do. Hopefully, the above points help you be more mindful of the potential threats around you and how you can protect your devices from them at all times. If they do get damaged or start showing signs of issues, don’t hesitate to take them to your hearing health professional for troubleshooting and quick fixes.
