Have you ever wondered about how to best protect your hearing aids from getting lost or damaged? Find out more in this Audicus blog!
Although uncommon, it isn’t unheard of for hearing aids and hearing aid batteries to fall prey to moisture, hungry pets and accidental disposal. From lost hearing aids to dogs on a mission, here are steps you can take to prevent these mistakes from happening:
Keeping Hearing Aids Above Ground Level
Simply keeping your hearing aids and hearing aid batteries above ground level will drastically decrease the chances that bad things will happen to them. Hearing aids kept close to the ground are in greater danger of being stepped on, eaten by a pet, damaged by water leaks or accidentally thrown away with garbage.
Be sure to keep hearing aids in plain sight and be especially vigilant of hearing aids during storms, floods, and other events where water may find its way into a household.
Having a Container for Your Hearing Aid
Using a container as the designated storage place for your hearing aid allows you to have a routine for where to place your hearing aid when not in use while affording protection from moisture and mischievous pets.
You’re much less likely to step on or misplace a hearing aid if it is habitually placed in a designated container.
Making Enclosures for Small and Flying Pets
Pet rodents such as rats, mice and hamsters are naturally inclined to gnaw objects, so provide their enclosure with several gnawing blocks and other items that they can chew safely while removing soft or wood-based household items from the enclosure.
For flying pets like finches and parakeets that have access above the ground level, be sure to put away hearing aids and other small objects while they are out of their cage.
Setting aside a designated room for rodents and birds not only ensures that they won’t eat foreign objects, but also prevents the possibility of them escaping or having unintended encounters with other animals.
Taking Your Pet to a Veterinarian
Be sure to bring your pet to a veterinarian immediately after you suspect that it has swallowed a hearing aid. X-rays can verify whether your pet has swallowed a hearing aid or hearing aid batteries, and your veterinarian would be the most capable of determining what your next step should be in terms of treatment.
Supervising New Pets
Puppies, kittens and other furry new additions to your household are likely to be curious and test what is or is not “food.” Monitor your new housemates while they familiarize themselves with their new home and be sure to pet-proof rooms that they have been given access to.
Although your hearing aid may still function after having been swallowed by a pet, damaged by water or thrown in the trash, it is best to use prevention and avoid dangerous scenarios altogether. Making proper storage a habit and training your pets will lower the chances that your hearing aid is put at risk!