This May, we’re celebrating National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a time to raise awareness of communication disorders and their treatment. We know better than anyone how life-changing it can be to get the treatment you need for hearing loss. So let’s take this opportunity to discuss hearing loss treatment and how to stay on top of your device health.
Why Hearing Aids Matter
Hearing loss is a communication disorder. Hearing loss is directly correlated with communication difficulties, weakened relationships and social isolation. Treating hearing loss is critical for staying connected to your family, friends and the wide world around you. That’s where hearing aids come in.
Hearing aids are known to have a positive impact on your general health, professional success, emotional well-being and social connections. Celebrating the reconnection afforded by hearing aids is what National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is all about.
How to Extend the Life of Your Hearing Aids
Because your hearing aids are so vital, and because they’re a significant investment, we know you want to keep them working at optimal levels so you can get their full benefits. Here are some of the best ways to extend their lifespan.
Daily Cleanings
When you were first fitted with your hearing aids, your audiologist should’ve given you a quick demonstration of how to clean them. It’s important to follow this cleaning regimen daily to remove the moisture, dust, debris and earwax that build up throughout the day. It may not feel like much, but these substances can wreak havoc on your devices if they get out of control; prevent major repairs later by cleaning them well daily.
Safe Storage
If you need to take your hearing aids out for any reason, don’t just set them down anywhere. They could get lost, knocked onto the floor, stepped on, found by a curious pet or squashed by something else. Instead, stow them safely in a durable, hard-shell hearing aid case. Keep a hearing aid case on hand wherever you might need to take your hearing aids out, such as in your car or purse, so you always know where to put them.
Keep Your Ears Clean
Earwax is a naturally occurring substance in our ears, and usually, it falls out of our ears on its own. However, wearing hearing aids daily can increase the likelihood of earwax buildup, so it’s important to keep your ears clean. Whenever you shower, wipe your ears with a washcloth to encourage earwax to fall out. If you notice earwax buildup, don’t use a cotton swab to clean it; rather, use earwax-softening drops or see a professional for earwax removal.
See Your Audiologist Twice a Year
We recommend visiting your audiologist every six months for a professional hearing aid tune-up and service appointment. At this appointment, we can clean the hard-to-reach spots of your hearing aid that get missed during your daily cleaning routine, troubleshoot issues and perform repairs. Don’t wait for a major malfunction to happen to schedule a hearing aid service appointment.
If you have any more questions about hearing aid maintenance or want more information about National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, call us at South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today!