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It is very important that you maintain your hearing aids in top
operating conditions. There are several reasons for doing so, mainly, to retain the optimum hearing
and performance.
Small particles of wax and dried skin accumulate
deep inside the aid. If these particles are not carefully removed by your
hearing professional the instruments will eventually malfunction and
require costly repairs. Studies indicate deep cleaning two to three times
per year will increase the life expectancy or the instrument by 2-3 times.
This also helps avoid high repair costs.
Ensure high hygiene standards and avoid external
ear infections by daily washing of the external bowl of the ear and ear
canal opening with soap and water. Never insert a cotton swab into
the ear canal. Wipe off the shell with a tissue, this will also increase the longevity of the hearing aid and
ensure that it performs satisfactorily for many years to come.
Below are a list of the things you should do to protect your investment:
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Handle your
hearing aid with care and change batteries over a soft towel. |
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Remove earwax
from your hearing aid by using a soft bristled brush every day.
Never stick any thing into the sound ports including the picks
that come with the device. Have deep ear wax removed by a
professional on a regular basis |
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Wipe off the
shell of your
hearing aid with the small brush or a soft cloth you received
together with the hearing aid. AGAIN DO NOT insert tools into the
sound outlet. This could damage the speaker or microphone. If you cannot
clean the hearing aid completely, it is best to contact your
hearing health care professional. |
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Have your
professional change the
filters, often called wax guards, so that they do not collect wax or
dirt several time a year. |
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Switch off your
hearing aid when it is not in use. If your do not use it for a period of
time longer than 48 hours, you should remove the battery. |
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The battery
contacts should be cleaned regularly. Use a cotton swab but be
careful not to bend the contacts. Dirty battery contacts can
cause the hearing aid not to function properly. |
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Change the
batteries often so that they do not suddenly run out of power
and die inside the aid. This is especially true if you use
batteries purchased from a drug store. The self life of these
batteries can be severely shortened and the battery casing can
swell when the battery starts to get weak. This can cause the
battery to get stuck inside the instrument. |
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Never try to pry a battery stuck in
the instrument out as the small delicate wires can be broken or
the contacts damaged. |
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If you live in a moist or humid
region of the country, or if you perspire, keep the instruments
in an air tight container with a canister of desiccant often
called "Silica Gel". You may know them as the little
packages that come in medication bottles or with electronic
devices. Change these several times a year. |
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Do not wear your
hearing aid in the shower or when swimming, or when using a hair
dryer, hair spray, or other types of spray. |
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Purchase your
batteries from your hearing professional and avoid buying more
batteries than you know you can use in a 4 month period of time
regardless of the cost savings available form mass merchandisers
and warehouse clubs. Defective or old batteries can release
battery acid into the device and ruin it.
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Contact your
health professional regularly to have your ear canals cleaned. Accumulated
earwax can prevent sounds from traveling from the hearing aid to the
ear drum. |
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Any other difficulties should be
referred to your hearing professional |
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