When it comes to your hearing aids, they may be in need of repairs every now and then. With a lifespan of five to seven years, it’s not realistic to think they’ll function perfectly without a few hiccups. However, if your devices are only a few years old and are already acting up, try following these simple steps to help keep your hearing aids in optimal shape!

Perform daily maintenance

One of the most important and easy ways to keep your hearing aids in good working order is by following a daily maintenance routine when you take them out. When you’re done with your hearing aids for the day, put a towel down on a safe surface and place your devices on it. Examine them for any cracks, damages or excess of earwax. Once you’ve done this, take a dry cloth and wipe your hearing aids down. Doing this daily will not only help keep your hearing aids clean and debris free, but it’ll also help you recognize any damages should they arise.

Store in a safe place

Once you’re done examining and cleaning your hearing aids, make sure to put them somewhere safe for the night. Ideally somewhere they can remain dry, out of reach of tiny hands or furry paws, and a place you can leave the battery compartment open at night to dry out. Whether you have a storage case from when you purchased them or have switched to a different case, ensure you’re keeping it out of harms way.

Keep away from moisture

One of the most damaging things to a hearing aid is exposure to moisture. This means remembering to take your hearing aids out before you get in the shower, pool or ocean. Additionally, make sure to wear a hat or carry an umbrella if you get stuck in the rain. Even small amounts of moisture can damage the small, internal electric components. In the event your hearing aid was exposed to water, dry them off quickly, remove the batteries and call your audiologist for further instructions.

Get professional check-ups

Because your hearing aids are highly advanced pieces of technology, it’s important to have them professionally cleaned and examined at least twice a year. Most audiologists offer this as part of their service, but give yours a call to find out what their protocol is. Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your hearing aids, this gives your audiologist a chance to look them over and either catch something before it becomes catastrophic, or give you device a clean bill of health.