If you’re a hearing aid wearer with pets, it’s imperative that you keep your devices away from your furry friends. Not only can your pets easily damage the delicate electronics within your hearing aids, the batteries inside them are toxic if consumed. Below are several tips for keeping your hearing aids, and your pets, safe from harm.
Use Your Storage Case
Most hearing aids come with a protective case. If yours didn’t, you should invest in one right away. Rechargeable hearing aids come with a charger that doubles as a case, which you should keep with you whenever possible to charge and/or store your devices.
Storage cases are useful for when you need to take out your hearing aids and carry them in a pocket, purse or backpack. Whether you have a pet or not, they are important for protecting your devices. If you do have a pet, the chance of them getting the case open and causing damage is much lower than if your hearing aids are loose.
Consider Storage Location
Everybody stores their hearing aids somewhere different – the most important thing is to keep them somewhere cool, dry, and away from pets.
Putting hearing aids on a nightstand may be convenient, but if you have a cat that jumps onto it or a tall dog that can reach, it may not be the best place. If your nightstand has a drawer, keep them there instead.
A high windowsill may seem like a good idea to keep your devices away from pets, but heat from direct sunlight can damage your hearing aids.
You also may be tempted to store your hearing aids in the bathroom where you get ready in the morning, but this is not a good idea as the humidity in your bathroom can cause damage.
If you have a convenient drawer, jewelry box or high shelf away from direct light, these are the best options for pet owners.
Dispose of Batteries Properly
Pet owners should not throw their batteries away in the trash, as your pet could get into it and eat the batteries when going after leftovers. The best option is to find a local recycling location. Keep batteries safely in a Tupperware container until you can dispose of them properly.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call The Hearing & Balance Center.