Hearing aids are sophisticated medical devices. Like any other electronic device, they require proper care. This is the only way you’ll get the best results. In addition, proper care will increase their service life. How to extend this period? You must properly clean your devices and change hearing aid supplies in time!
What are hearing aid supplies?
Nowadays, any audiological center can provide you with a ton of hearing aid supplies. Hearing aids are complex devices made up of different systems and components. Dozens of chips work inside the device, for you to hear in any audiological setting. However, there are other elements, without which you won’t enjoy the palette of sounds. These are the various hearing aid supplies.
The types of supplies depend on the specific model. Some hearing aids use rechargeable batteries while others use replaceable ones. Behind-the-ear devices have an earbud, but in-ear devices do not need it. In addition, modern devices have protective filters to prevent dirt and sulfur from getting inside the hearing aids.
You should always have a small stock of hearing aid supplies to replace the item if necessary. You can find them in any audiological clinic or online stores.
How often do I need to change supplies?
A hearing aid is a complex and expensive device. Do you want your medical devices to work for a long time? Then you should use them correctly, clean them in time, and change hearing aid supplies!
The average period of operation of hearing aids is 3-5 years. That’s what device manufacturers say. You can increase it by properly caring for your electronic assistants! How often do I need to change hearing aid supplies? The answer depends on several factors:
Hearing aid supply type
Service life
Intensity of contamination or damage
For example, you need to change batteries from time to time. It depends on the type of battery and the manufacturer. How often do I need to change supplies? Change them right away when the time comes. You’ll know by their contamination or damage. The main condition is not to use non-working supplies as they may degrade sound quality and harm hearing aids!
How to change hearing aid supplies?
Hearing aids have various additional components. For example, behind-the-ear devices have earbuds and tubes through which the edited sound flows into the ear. But in-ear hearing aids do not have such components, because the sound comes directly through the auditory canal, where the device is located.
Let’s consider the 3 most common hearing aid supplies that you’ll find in most modern models. Replacing them is a simple process if you know what to do!
Replacement of batteries
There are several types of batteries. They differ in the size and power of the charge, and hence the working time. However, the process of replacement with new ones is the same for all types of batteries. To install a new battery, follow the following steps:
Before placing the battery in the hearing aid, remove the sticker from it
On the surface of the battery there are holes through which oxygen penetrates the battery, it is oxidized and charged. It takes 2-3 minutes to reach maximum voltage, so don’t install the battery right away!
Install the battery according to the polarity indicated on the battery cover of your device
Close the lid gently. If you experience resistance, make sure the battery is installed correctly
Do not forget to open the battery compartment when not using the device to avoid rapid discharge of the battery
Earbud replacement
The earbud is an integral part of the behind-the-ear hearing aid. PVC or silicone are the main materials for earbuds. There are two types of them: standard and individual earbuds.
When using hearing aids, you should wash your earbuds regularly. Do it, if not daily, then at least once a week. Hearing care professionals recommend using a special cleaning liquid or tablets. You can find them in audiological centers.
Under the influence of sweat and earwax, the rubber tip of the liner hardens. This is a signal to replace the liner. On average, liner lasts 3 months. Don’t use them for too long as it can lead to infection, distortion of the sound, and the appearance of an unpleasant whistle. Do you notice something from that list? Then replace the liner with a new one. It’s not difficult. Disconnect the earbud from the tube and attach a new one!
All earpieces are connected to the liner by a thin PVC tube. After a certain time, this tube hardens and becomes hard. As a result, the effectiveness of sound conduction is reduced. The sound becomes muffled. Sometimes the hearing aid starts to whistle. Thus, if the tube connecting the apparatus and the liner becomes solid and changes color, it is time to replace it. The frequency of replacement depends on the type and oiliness of the person’s skin. On average, this happens 1 time in 3-6 months.
Change the hearing aid filter to a new one
A protective filter is a useful part of a hearing aid. The name perfectly describes it. Filters come in different types and kinds but they all have the same task. The filter protects the hearing aid from various contaminants. These are dust, dirt, and earwax. Usually, users clean protective filters while caring for hearing aids. There are special hearing cleaning tools for it.
However, over time, the filters become damaged. In this case, a simple cleaning won’t help. You have to replace them with new ones. How often do I need to change filters? Their lifespan depends on several factors, including the quality of the filter, the intensity of use, and care. Some users change the filters every 2-3 weeks. Others install new ones in 1-2 months. So, the period of use of the earwax filter is individual. Usually, as soon as it becomes dirty and earwax is visible, it’s time to change them. Another signal to replace the case is a decrease in sound quality.
You can replace the filter yourself or in the audiology center. The replacement procedure is as follow:
Use a special tool to replace the filter. On one end, there is a hook to remove the contaminated filter, and on the other one, there is a holder for a new filter
Insert the removal tool into the filter and remove the used filter from the hearing aid
Insert the new filter into your hearing aid
Throw away the used tool
The process of replacing the filter is simple. However, it requires maximum concentration so as not to harm the hearing aid!
