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Hearing aids can cost a pack. Insurance rarely covers them, and Consumer Reports members who own these devices and responded to our 2018 survey of hearing aids and hearing aid retailers told us that they were spending on average $ 2,691 per pair for a pair.
That said, you want to make sure that you do everything possible to make them last as long as possible. According to Kim Cavitt, Au.D., audiologist and adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University, this could take between three and five years, depending on the type of hearing aid chosen. in Illinois.
Here's how to get there.
Keep them clean
Earwax helps to protect the inside of our ears from foreign objects, wounds and infections. But it can also obstruct the operation of a hearing aid, for example by embedding in the receiver or microphone of your device.
And wearing hearing aids can cause some people to produce more cerumen. "The purpose of earwax in our body is to keep foreign objects out of the eardrum," says Cavitt. So when you put a hearing aid in your ear, "the body of some people perceives it as a way to fight with more wax."
In fact, according to the wax handling guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)), people with hearing aids run a higher high risk of infection by earwax, which occurs when too much wax accumulates in the ear). .
To prevent your hearing aids from sticking to earwax (or other dust or debris), clean them daily. "Regular maintenance is the key," says Susan Anderson, Au.D., a senior lecturer and clinical professor of audiology at the University of Washington.
Your hearing aids have probably come with a cleaning brush, but you can also use an old toothbrush, says Anderson, to gently remove traces of earwax or dirt that you might see on the device. You will also want to open the battery compartment and sweep all the debris inside. (Different devices may have special care instructions and cleaning tools, and your audiologist or hearing care professional can give you additional advice on what to do.)
If your hearing aid is equipped with earwax or earwax (you can do this in the ear, ear and ear), replace them regularly to avoid clogging them. . hinder the sound quality. Your audiologist or hearing care professional should tell you how often you want to replace them and show you how. He or she can provide replacements or you can buy them online.
AAO-HSN recommends that people who use hearing aids have their ear cbad checked every three to six months to badess the impact of wax on their ears. If you have difficulty with earwax buildup, our guide can help you cope with it.
Keep them dry
Liquid is the enemy of a hearing aid. Since the internal operation of the device must be partially exposed to the elements to capture the sound, the moisture can easily get inside and damage the hearing aid.
To keep your device dry, keep it in a protective case when visiting sites such as swimming pools and saunas. "Always ask yourself: do you take your phone there?" Advises Cavitt.
Every morning, complete your cleaning and grooming routines before putting on hearing aids. This will help prevent splashing water. In addition, contact with hair products such as hairspray or gel can damage them.
And do not store your hearing aids in the bathroom – the steam from the shower can seep into a device and there are many possibilities to accidentally drop it in the water, adds Cavitt.
In fact, it is best to keep the equipment in what is known as a dry storage kit, a dry aid kit or a dry box at night. These can be simple (just a desiccant and a container) or more sophisticated (an electronic device that circulates the air around the aid). If you do not have one, ask your audiologist. You can also search for one online or in stores selling hearing aid accessories, as some pharmacies do.
If your hearing aids get wet, use the dry storage kit to dry them. Do not use a hair dryer and do not place your hearing aid in the microwave or oven as this will damage the unit.
For safety reasons, Cavitt recommends leaving your hearing aids all day, whenever possible. If you take them out at noon and put them in your pocket, for example, they may end up accidentally by a cycle in the washing machine. And keep the hearing aids out of the reach of pets, who may chew or play with them.
Troubleshooting tips
For helpers that do not work properly, start by cleaning them and make sure they are dry.
Intermittent or static sound can mean that moisture has penetrated the batteries, explains Anderson. Try to put new batteries. The tears of the hearing aids are often the sign of an excess of earwax. Ask your doctor to check your ear, Cavitt said. .
If these steps do not help, call your audiologist. Defective components can either be replaced at the office or sent to the manufacturer for repair, says Cavitt.
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Consumer Reports is an independent, non-profit organization that works alongside consumers to create a fairer, safer, healthier world. CR does not endorse any products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.
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