You should take care of your hearing aid just as you would any expensive piece of modern technology.
Unlike eyeglasses, which are naturally inclined to occasionally get broken and be replaced, these small devices are meant to last.
Not just because they are built for the long term, but also because they are far too expensive to replace on a yearly basis.
Of course, accidents do happen, but there is a lot you can do to get the most out of your device.
If you want it to work as well in five years as it does today, here are some tips you can put to use.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures You wouldn't store your iPod in a closed, hot car in the middle of the summer, and you wouldn't put your laptop in the freezer.
Treat your hearing aid with the same respect you do these devices.
While it would be a stretch to call this device a computer, it is still a highly precise piece of small machinery, and it needs to be protected from extreme temperatures.
That doesn't mean you need to worry about taking a walk on a brisk day, but don't store your device in the snow along the way or anything! On a more practical note, just make sure you keep the device to temperatures as close to moderate as you can manage.
Hair Products Gel, hairspray, and mousse may make your hair look just the way you want it to, but these substances can gunk up a hearing aid in a hurry.
"Oh, I just spritz a bit of hairspray on the front of my hair in the morning, it's no big deal," you might be thinking.
Sure, once or twice may not be a big deal.
But if you're doing that every morning, you can be certain that you are getting a lot of that sticky hair spray into your assistive listening device.
Over time, that is going to clog up the microphone and make it a lot harder to get as much out of your device as you should be.
Just take it out before you style your hair, and you won't run into a problem.
No Swimming Some of the best waterproof watches can handle all of the swimming or even deep sea diving that you can throw at them.
The average waterproof watch, however, can't be trusted to handle those kinds of direct water exposure.
The same applies to your hearing aid.
Even if you spent the extra money for a waterproof variety (a good idea, considering the effects of moisture), you shouldn't test it by taking it into the pool.
Take it out before you go swimming, take a sauna, or get into the shower.
The more you can keep the instrument dry, the longer you're going to keep it running nicely.
Unlike eyeglasses, which are naturally inclined to occasionally get broken and be replaced, these small devices are meant to last.
Not just because they are built for the long term, but also because they are far too expensive to replace on a yearly basis.
Of course, accidents do happen, but there is a lot you can do to get the most out of your device.
If you want it to work as well in five years as it does today, here are some tips you can put to use.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures You wouldn't store your iPod in a closed, hot car in the middle of the summer, and you wouldn't put your laptop in the freezer.
Treat your hearing aid with the same respect you do these devices.
While it would be a stretch to call this device a computer, it is still a highly precise piece of small machinery, and it needs to be protected from extreme temperatures.
That doesn't mean you need to worry about taking a walk on a brisk day, but don't store your device in the snow along the way or anything! On a more practical note, just make sure you keep the device to temperatures as close to moderate as you can manage.
Hair Products Gel, hairspray, and mousse may make your hair look just the way you want it to, but these substances can gunk up a hearing aid in a hurry.
"Oh, I just spritz a bit of hairspray on the front of my hair in the morning, it's no big deal," you might be thinking.
Sure, once or twice may not be a big deal.
But if you're doing that every morning, you can be certain that you are getting a lot of that sticky hair spray into your assistive listening device.
Over time, that is going to clog up the microphone and make it a lot harder to get as much out of your device as you should be.
Just take it out before you style your hair, and you won't run into a problem.
No Swimming Some of the best waterproof watches can handle all of the swimming or even deep sea diving that you can throw at them.
The average waterproof watch, however, can't be trusted to handle those kinds of direct water exposure.
The same applies to your hearing aid.
Even if you spent the extra money for a waterproof variety (a good idea, considering the effects of moisture), you shouldn't test it by taking it into the pool.
Take it out before you go swimming, take a sauna, or get into the shower.
The more you can keep the instrument dry, the longer you're going to keep it running nicely.