A very important article by Debbie Clason and Susanne Jones at Healthy Hearing on How to Avoid Hearing Aid Disaster and What to Do when they Happen.
Here are some of the highlights from the article:
If You dropped your hearing aid down the drain — or in the toilet
This happens a lot to people who are in the habit of putting their hearing aids in or taking them out in the bathroom.
“I believe that the only safe place in a bathroom for your hearing aid is in your ear,” Jones said. “Instead, find a place in your home, often the bedroom, where you can sit down to insert and remove your hearing aids and store them in their case. If you must insert or remove your hearing aid over a hard surface like a counter, lay down a soft towel to cushion the blow and reduce the bouncing in case you drop it – and if the bathroom is your only option, plug the sink and close the toilet lid.”
If it happens…
That depends on your tolerance level, Jones says. “If it happens in a public place, I might be tempted to write it off as a loss. If it happens in your own home and the toilet or sink is very clean, grab it as soon as possible.”
Jones says most hearing aids have a protective nano coating which may be disinfected with an alcohol wipe. “However, a hearing aid that is truly soiled from an un-flushed toilet should be considered a biohazard and destroyed as such.”
If you happen to drop a hearing aid down the sink, don’t run the water. Someone who is handy with a pipe wrench may be able to remove the p-trap from under the sink and retrieve it. It’s definitely worth the trouble!
If You wear your hearing aid in the shower or pool
We know – today’s hearing aids are SO comfortable that you often forget you’re wearing them! If you’re in the habit of removing your hearing aids before you shower, you’re less likely to have this problem — except when your schedule changes and you go on vacation.
“Vacations are a break from typical schedule so that’s a high-risk time for entering water while wearing hearing aids,” Jones said. She recommends making it a habit to feel for your hearing aids with both hands before entering water. Posting notes by the shower or clipping one to your swimsuit or towel is also a good idea. So is having a case handy to put them in.
If it happens…
If you do accidentally get your hearing aids wet, remove them from your ears immediately and dry them with a towel. Open the battery doors and remove the batteries. Put them in their case or a hearing aid dryer (never use an oven, microwave or hair dryer) with the batter doors open and let them rest for about an hour or so or overnight. If they don’t work in the morning with fresh batteries, call your hearing healthcare professional.
If Your hearing aid is eaten
Yes, unbelievably, this happens more often than you might think. Pets are curious and small children often explore things with their mouths. Even adults have mistakenly eaten hearing aids, especially if you’ve accidentally left the hearing aid close to finger foods like candy or nuts.
If it happens…
If you see your pet eat the hearing aid and can safely retrieve it from their mouth, do so and check for any broken pieces or batteries. Ingesting batteries can be fatal, so contact your veterinarian immediately if they swallowed the battery.
The same thing goes if a child or adult accidentally eats the device. Check the mouth thoroughly for the battery and any broken pieces and seek medical attention immediately if necessary.
“After you’ve ensured your pet’s safety, address the hearing aid,” Jones said. “If there’s no visible damage and all parts and the battery are intact, clean it with an alcohol wipe and see if it’s still working. If it isn’t call you hearing care practitioner. Be sure to bring every piece you could recover when you go see them.”
You can read the full article by CLICKING HERE
We are here to help if you or a family member is having any difficulties with hearing, hearing aids, or Tinnitus please give us a call at 727-323-2471 and set up an appointment. We can help you.
Susan E. Terry, Au.D., F-AAA, F-NAP
Doctor of Audiology
Board Certified
P.S. We are here to help if you have any questions about your hearing, feel free to give us a call at 727-323-2471