Many elderly adults have to contend with hearing loss, and hearing aids can definitely be a saving grace. However, this small electronic device does need periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep it sanitary and as functional as possible. If you have an elderly loved one with a hearing aid they rely on, it is a good idea to work with a hearing aid maintenance service for help. Here is a look at why that is the case.
They may not have the dexterity to maintain their hearing aid on their own.
Hearing aids are rather small these days, and the tools that are used to clean and maintain them can be rather small as well. Elderly individuals can struggle with dexterity with small tasks, which means if they disassemble their hearing aid to clean it, they could easily lose parts or cause some damage to the unit in the process. Hearing aid parts can be replaced, but this can be expensive, especially if it is happening on a regular basis. A hearing aid maintenance service can take care of cleaning the unit thoroughly and doing routine maintenance so this doesn't happen.
They may not have good enough eyesight to see what they are doing.
You need to be able to see the tiny screws and parts of a hearing aid when you clean it or open it up to change the wax filter inside. This can come as quite a challenge for an older adult that has issues with their eyesight in many cases. You could invest in a magnifying glass to help them see the small parts of the aid better, but if your loved one's sight is especially bad, it is better to encourage them to trust professionals.
They may not remember to maintain the unit as the should.
Hearing aids should be cleaned or at least wiped down with cleansing pads every day, and the filters should be changed as needed. However, it is really common for older adults to forget to clean their hearing aids or change their filters when they should. Over time, this improper cleaning and filter changing can cause damage to the delicate parts of the hearing aid. If you work with a hearing aid maintenance service to set up a schedule of when the hearing aid should be brought in, this will not be such a big concern.
To learn more, contact a hearing aid maintenance service.
