Millions of people live with hearing loss that impacts their daily lives. Fortunately, hearing aids are more advanced than ever, so if you have them, you’ll hear better than ever.

A hearing care specialist can fit you for your hearing aid. Knowing how to care for these devices at home properly is crucial and can benefit your hearing health.

Understanding Your Hearing Aids

The most common hearing aid types are behind-the-ear, in-the-canal, or CROS. The two former kinds are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, and the CROS is appropriate for those whose hearing differs in each ear. With the CROS type, a hearing aid is used in the better ear, while a Bluetooth microphone receiver is worn on the worse one to filter sound to your good side.

A hearing aid consists of different parts you should know how to identify. The microphone detects sound and transmits it so you can hear and better understand speech and distinguish it from background sounds. The processor takes electrical signals and modifies sounds so they can be heard.

Hearing devices have buttons the wearer can press to change the sounds in their environment. One feature is reducing background noise.

The hearing aid's battery, which may be a lithium-ion or zinc-air button, powers it. The former is rechargeable, while the latter is placed inside a battery component that you can open and close. Both must be exposed to air to charge before use.

Finally, the receiver converts the sounds you hear to be understood.

Importance of Home Care for Hearing Aids

Properly caring for your hearing devices can lengthen their lifespan. Most are good for at least five years, but with good care, they can last longer. Over time, the best practices for achieving longevity will be second nature.

Certain at-home care mistakes can damage your hearing devices. Avoid mishandling and dropping them, and keep them away from water, even if they’re water-resistant. Remove them at night and place them in their case. If you have removable batteries, open the battery door to prevent the batteries from draining prematurely.

Always keep your hearing aid out of reach of young children and pets. This can prevent damage and keep your kids and animals safe.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Hearing Aids

Clean your hearing aid daily using the special brush to remove earwax and wipe it with a cloth to keep it in optimal condition. Be gentle to avoid damaging the components. Some models have wax guards, which must be cleaned or replaced over time. Your hearing health specialist can advise on how to do that.

To get the most out of your hearing aid, troubleshoot common issues at home. Sometimes, they produce feedback or muffled sounds. Check the battery to ensure it’s charged, and make sure your charging case is plugged in. Removable batteries may need replacing.

You may need to replace the filter on your hearing aid. If it has excessive wax buildup and has been on for months, it can cause muffling.

Best Practices for Seniors with Hearing Aids

As a senior with hearing loss, you can use these tips to care for your hearing aid. Create a routine by wearing the devices at the same time each day and wiping them down gently to remove excess wax. Keep them in the same place while at home and store them in their case when not in use.

When battery power runs low, your hearing aid will beep to alert you. Charge overnight in the case or change the batteries if you have devices with battery doors.

Family members and caregivers should be educated on the best practices for maintaining your hearing aid. Ask them to accompany you to your hearing care appointments and encourage them to research and ask questions.

Keeping your hearing aids clean and safe can ensure they work optimally and you get your money’s worth. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a consultation today. If you have any questions, contact Beltone South for more information.