What Are Hearing Aid Accessories?

When you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, your hearing aids will be a daily tool for you. They can greatly improve your quality of life and you will want to wear them all day, with the only exceptions being when you go to sleep and when you’re in the bathroom. Since you’re using them so regularly, it should only be expected that you’re going to need some accessories for them.

Some hearing aid accessories are crucial for the care and maintenance of your devices, while others will help you make them into more versatile tools. Here are just some of the hearing aid accessories you can talk about with your hearing instrument specialist. 

Cleaning tools

Cleaning your hearing aids each day is essential for keeping them effective and working for as long as possible. Moisture, debris and other issues can reduce their lifespan and reliability. Cleaning kits can include air puffers, cleansing sprays, tissues and devices used to clean the tubes and smaller parts of the hearing aids. Your hearing instrument specialist can also offer advice on how to thoroughly take care of your hearing aids and even help deal with the majority of the most common malfunctions. Daily care is always recommended and cleaning tool kits designed specifically for hearing aids are the most effective option for providing it.

Dryers and dehumidifiers

As mentioned, moisture can be a significant risk to your hearing aids. It can cause the batteries to corrode, leaking acid which can severely damage the device and may even affect the delicate circuitry inside the hearing aid. Hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers use a desiccant to safely draw out moisture. The device is placed inside the dehumidifier overnight and should be completely moisture-free when it’s taken out in the morning. Other devices use UV light which both dries and sanitizes your hearing aids. Many dehumidifiers also have a space to contain your batteries, keeping them safe overnight.

Bluetooth streaming devices

A lot of hearing aids come with Bluetooth connectivity. This means that they can connect with other Bluetooth-enable digital devices, such as your television, smartphone, tablet, PC, MP3 player, smart home devices and more. Many modern digital devices are designed with features that allow them to natively connect with hearing aids. However, for devices that don’t have that functionality, there are Bluetooth streaming devices that can act as go-between for your hearing aid and the other Bluetooth enabled devices. These can allow you to connect to your TV, smartphone, and other devices to have their audio output streamed directly through your hearing aids.

Assistive listening devices

There are some specific situations in which your hearing aid alone may not provide the amplification and sound enhancement necessary to help you hear and understand your environment. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are a wide range of different devices, such as amplified telephones, hearing aid compatible phones, television listening devices, altering devices and more. Which ALDs work best to your needs will depend on what parts of your lifestyle you might need a little extra assistance with. There are so many different types of ALDs that it’s wise to talk to your hearing instrument specialist about which might best suit your needs.

Wax guards

Earwax can be a consistent annoyance for people who wear hearing aids. If you were a hearing aid, you’re more likely to produce more earwax than the average person. This can make it more difficult to clean your hearing aids. Wax guards are the little plastic devices designed to protect the receiver of your hearing aid. They can defend against both wax and against moisture if you opt for the more advanced ones. As such, changing them regularly is crucial for protecting the reliability of your hearing aids.

Wearable lifestyle accessories

Aside from the tools above, there are also simple wearable accessories that can help you accommodate your hearing aids to your lifestyle and hobbies. For instance, there are headbands specifically for people with hearing aids to prevent perspiration from reaching the devices, as well as clipped accessories to make sure your devices don’t fall out or get dirty while you’re taking part in physical activities or sports.

If you want to make sure that you’re getting the best out of your hearing aids, then the right accessories can go a long way. Your hearing instrument specialist may be able to recommend some of the best options available, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team of Better Hearing of Madison County by calling us at (315) 693-3637.