When traveling, it’s important to consider what you’ll need for your hearing aid. Remember that when you’re traveling your environment can be different than at home, so your hearing aids might need a little different care. Here are a few tips for hearing aid maintenance while on vacation.
1. If it’s been more than two to three months since your hearing aid had professional service, get this done before you go on your travels. Take them in and have them professionally cleaned. There is some cleaning professionals can do for them that you can’t. They also can listen to them to make sure your hearing aids are in good working order. Don’t wait for the last minute to do this. If there is something wrong and they need additional repair you want to have time for that. You don’t want to miss out on the sounds of life, so schedule a pre-vacation inspection for your hearing aids to ensure everything is working perfectly.
2. Sand, dust, sea spray and even perspiration are potentially damaging to your hearing aids. If you are planning on spending all your time in this environment you might want to invest in a water-resistant sleeve that fits over the body of your hearing aid that goes behind your ear. If you spend a little time on the beach with the spray then you won’t need a water-resistant sleeve. Ask your hearing care provider if this is something you might need.
3. However, if you are going to spend your travels in a humid place and come from a drier place you might want to invest in a hearing aid dryer. A hearing aid dryer is also known as a dehumidifier and is designed to remove moisture from your hearing aids overnight. There are many sizes and price points for a hearing aid dryer. But, if you plan on sweating or being in a moist area a hearing aid dryer is a must-have.
4. Batteries are a must-have! They are available in most major drugstores and hearing centers. However, do you really want to spend your time looking for batteries? Hearing aid batteries last on average 5-14 days. Pack enough to last for your time away and maybe add a couple of extra. You never know if your travel time might get extended for some unforeseen reason.
5. If you have rechargeable batteries and can also use regular batteries. Pack a pack or two of regular batteries with you just in case you are unable to charge them every night for whatever reason. Also, don’t forget to pack your charger.
6. Remember to clean your hearing aids every morning just like at home. I know routines can get out of sorts when away from home, but don’t skip cleaning your hearing aids in the morning. Your hearing care provided probably gave you a cleaning kit when you purchased your hearing aids. You can also buy a small kit to keep in your travel kit.
7. If your travels are extreme and you think you might lose your hearing aids you might want to make sure your loss and damage protection is up-to-date. Contact your hearing center for more information.
8. Bring a pouch with you for your hearing aids. If you go swimming, work up a dripping sweat, extreme dust or other non-hearing aid activities you might want to take off your hearing aids or put them in a pouch. The bottom of your pocket or purse has lint that can plug your hearing aids up, change the sound quality or make them go dead. Or, you might reach into your pocket for something else and they fall out and get lost. Wrapping them in tissue is never a good idea. There are so many hearing aids in the landfill right now because they were wrapped in a tissue. Pouches cost very little, but most hearing aid providers will just give you one for the asking. Pouches are small and take up little space so they fit into your pocket or handbag easily.
Please contact Accurate Hearing for more information 907-644-6004 – Donna R. DeMarco, AAS, BC-HIS your hearing care provider. For more information and a FREE hearing test call 907-644-6004.