Are you new to hearing aids and feeling a bit overwhelmed? If so, don’t worry. You are not alone. Hearing aids can take a bit of time to get used to. However, by incorporating the following daily habits into your life, you are much more likely to enjoy your best listening experience.
Be Consistent About Your Hearing Aid Use
You may be tempted to only wear your hearing aids in situations where you really struggle to hear. However, research shows that users who use their hearing aids more often and in different listening environments reported better hearing and greater satisfaction with their devices.
Try to only take out your hearing aids when you are sleeping or engaging in an activity like showering or swimming when they could be exposed to water.
Clean Your Device Nightly
Hearing aids need proper maintenance to work their best. Throughout the day, they are exposed to moisture, earwax and other debris. To avoid problems, wipe off your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth or use a soft-bristled brush to keep your device clean.
Store Your Hearing Aids Somewhere Safe
After you clean your hearing aids, it’s important to keep them somewhere safe. This can be your nightstand next to your bed, in a sock drawer, or jewelry box. Just make sure it’s in the same place every night, and that your device is protected from moisture and heat (no storing in the bathroom!).
Don’t Forget Your Batteries
The last thing you need is for your device to lose power when you are in a meeting at work or trying to enjoy dinner and conversation with your spouse or partner at Zia’s Restaurant. To avoid this, carry a few extra hearing aid batteries with you in your purse or car, or store some in your desk at work.
If you use rechargeable hearing aids, place your hearing aids in your charger every night before bed to ensure they are fully powered in the morning.
Be Open About Your Hearing Loss Needs
Even though hearing aids make it much easier to process speech and other sounds, you may still find it harder to hear in extra noisy environments. To that end, it can be helpful to be open with others about your hearing loss and inform them of ways they can make it easier to communicate at work and at home. It may take a bit of practice but being your own best advocate will go a long way in making sure you are hearing your best in any environment.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid specialist, call Center for Hearing & Speech today.
