Q: My hearing aids seem to require more maintenance and repair than other electronic devices around my home. Is this normal? Is there anything that I can do to reduce these problems?
A: It is very common for hearing aids to require more care and attention that other electronic devices, such as your television, radio, or microwave, for example. There are a few reasons for this. First, hearing aids are very complex miniaturized devices. Especially today's style hearing aids, which contain at least a microphone, battery, amplifier, microchip and a speaker, all within a thin, lightweight, custom-made, polyurethane shell.
Secondly, most people use their hearing aids for longer periods of time each day than other electronic devices. For instance, compared to a radio or TV that may only be in use for 2-4 hours each day, you wear your hearing aids for 14-16 hours at a time. During that time, the hearing aids are working very hard, continuously analyzing the sounds in your environment and making millions of calculations every second to help you hear as clearly as possible.
The third, and most important reason that hearing aids often require more attention and repair is related to the environment. In contrast to an electronic device such as your TV, which remains in a relatively controlled temperature, hearing aids work in one of the harshest environments - the ear canal. In the ear canal, the hearing aid experiences shell pressure from jaw movement, wax buildup moisture and perspiration, dust and dirt, all of which can be extremely damaging to the intricate components of the instrument.
What you can do to reduce the potential for repairs and minimize problems is check and clean your hearing aids once a day. Consult your user's manual or contact your audiologist for proper cleaning, care and maintenance tips. Additionally, we recommend that you let us professionally clean your hearing aids at least once a year.
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