2 Tips for Taking Care of Your First Hearing Aid

Hearing loss is a problem that millions of people will have to experience as they age or develop chronic medical conditions. Fortunately, hearing aids may be able to restore the majority of your hearing loss, but these devices are highly complex. This factor coupled with the reality that most people do not have much experience with these devices can lead them to make a couple of mistakes when it comes to their hearing prosthetics. 

Avoid Throwing Used Batteries In The Trash

The batteries in a modern hearing aid are designed to last for a year or more before they need to be replaced. However, when it comes time to change the batteries, you should never throw the old ones in the trash. These batteries contain highly toxic chemicals, and this can contribute to contaminating water supplies or poisoning wildlife. 

To avoid this type of environmental damage, you should always recycle these batteries. Most larger cities will have a local recycling facility that can accommodate batteries. However, if you live in a smaller city, there is still a convenient way to dispose of these items. Car repair shops are legally required to recycle batteries, and if you take your hearing aid battery to these facilities, they may be able to recycle it for you. 

Always Use The Storage Case When You Are Not Using The Hearing Aid

You may not always want to wear your hearing aid, and when this is the case, you should always keep it safely stored in the case that came with it. Leaving these devices out can allow dust to accumulate on them. If this dust makes it to the interior of the hearing aid, it can cause the device to malfunction. In addition to making it sound muffled, this dust can also damage the internal components which may require expensive repairs to correct. 

If you have lost your storage case, you can use a plastic kitchen storage bag to protect the hearing aid until you can get a replacement case. However, this should not be a long-term solution because the bag will not be able to protect the hearing aid from physical blows, and this can be a major source of damage when you are traveling. 

A hearing aid may be the perfect device for improving your hearing acuity, but these devices are highly expensive and complex. By following these two tips, you can help ensure that your hearing aid does not contribute to damaging the environment and it is protected from dust and physical contact. For more help, contact a prefessional like Otolaryngology Plastic Surgery Associates PC.


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