Hearing aids are a tool that provides children and adults alike with an opportunity to hear better. That being said, it’s critical that they are taken care of on a daily basis and as needed. In today’s blog post we’re going to touch on a few of the things that you should be doing daily to ensure that your hearing aids are working as intended.

Check the Batteries

The first thing that we’re going to mention is quick and easy — check the batteries. The batteries of your hearing aids should last roughly 1 to 2 weeks, and your hearing aids will work the best when the battery power is at its highest. Make sure to keep extra batteries with you just in case the ones you’re using die.

Clean Your Hearing Aids

Our ears collect more than we’d like to admit, and that all needs to be cleaned off of your hearing aids on a regular basis. Using a soft, dry piece of material, you will want to rub down the hearing aid gently. You can also use a diluted mixture of soap and water to ensure that they’re really clean. If you do choose to do this, make sure that you have a forced air blower on hand too — remove all water so as not to damage the hearing aids.

Sound Check Hearing Aids

You will be the one wearing your hearings aids on a daily basis, so you are going to know best when something isn’t working as it’s supposed to. The best way to catch problems with your hearing aids early on is to do daily sound checks to ensure that everything sounds nice and clear. There should be no feedback, no breaks in what you’re hearing, and no unusual sounds paired with the sound. If you do hear anything, make sure to get them checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

Keep Them Dry

We touched a little bit on the process of cleaning your hearing aids and mentioned that you could use a diluted mixture of soap and water if you choose, but one of the most important things that you can do for your hearing aids is to keep them dry — when possible. Any time that you are storing your hearing aids make sure that they are in a place where moisture won’t build up, and they’ll be able to stay dry.

Store Them Properly

Without a doubt, one of the best things that you can do for your hearing aids is to store them properly when you’re not using them. These devices are powerful, but they’re also extremely fragile. When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure that they’re in a hard shell case that will ensure they are dry and safe from any outside objects. This is especially important if you’re traveling and storing them separately.

Visit Platinum Hearing Aids

Platinum Hearing Aids provides the Detroit area with the high-quality devices that they need to hear well. If you’re interested in learning more about how you could benefit from hearing aids, contact our team today, and we’d be happy to schedule a consultation.

For many children, asking them to wear their hearing aids every day is like asking them to do their homework each night. Saying it’s a struggle is an understatement. Even if they realize that they can hear better with them, the piece itself can cause feelings of self-consciousness, making it hard for them to want to wear them. But as their parent, you know it’s necessary and that it will only take time to really get used to wearing them.

At Platinum Hearing Aids, our expert audiologists want everyone to feel comfortable in their hearing aids — including infants and children. Here are some tips to help them feel comfortable and to take ownership of their responsibility.

Start Slow

When hearing aids are first fitted, it’s ok to start slowly with times that are dedicated to wearing them and certain times when it’s ok to not wear them. When your child goes to school, over to a friend’s house, or at the dinner table, these are times when it should be required that they wear the devices. When they are doing their homework or playing a video game, this is when it’s ok to let them have a break. Keep in mind though, that these times should be limited, especially if they are playing a video game for hours on end.

Make it Fun

Children love to be challenged and rewarded. If your child makes it a whole day wearing their hearing aid, give them a special treat after dinner. If they kept their hearing aids on during a designated break time, let them know that you are proud of them! A reward for wearing their hearing aids doesn’t always have to be an extra hour of play time or an extra scoop of ice cream. Simply letting them know that you love them regardless of their hearing loss may be all they need.

Make it Stylish

One of the biggest challenges for school-age children who wear hearing aids is the fact that they’re different. Some kids may accept that being different is cool, but for those who don’t, it can be stressful going to school. Take your child shopping for hats, headbands, or colorful hair clips that may help ease some of the self-conscious feelings. But remind them that just because the aids are hidden, doesn’t make the hearing loss go away.

Take Ownership

As your child grows older, they will realize that their hearing is their responsibility. Consider working with an audiologist who has full faith in your child’s ability to lead a normal life, doing the activities they love, and playing like other kids. With each visit, your doctor will begin to ask your child questions instead of directing them at you, the parent. This will increase their sense of responsibility and ownership.

Some children have a harder time adjusting to their hearing aids, so it’s ok if they don’t love wearing them right away. The key is to remain consistent and give them regular motivation and encouragement to keep trying. They may not realize just how much their lives will improve if they keep up the effort of wearing their aids consistently.

If you’re looking for a compassionate and experienced audiologist in the Detroit area, schedule an appointment with Platinum Hearing Aids. We’ll be there throughout your journey.