Locating Digital Hearing Aids for Patients in Philadelphia, PA
If you’ve lost a hearing aid or both devices, rest assured it happens more often than you might think. They’re tiny, and some hearing aids today are so comfortable you might not notice when they fall out. We hear many stories of patients misplacing their hearing aids around the house, losing one while traveling, or forgetting them at the gym. When the COVID-19 pandemic was on the rise, wearing face masks contributed to many lost hearing aids. At Main Line Audiology, we want our patients to feel confident and secure with their hearing aids. Many devices today are equipped with technology and smartphone apps that allow patients to stay connected to their hearing aids, whether near or far.
If you need help locating your missing hearing aid or want to learn about preventing their misplacement in the first place, we’re here to help patients throughout Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding areas. Below, our hearing care providers include some helpful tips to follow if you lose your hearing aids, navigating warranties, and how to prevent losing them. Contact us today to learn more about digital hearing aids.
What Should I Do if I Lose My Hearing Aids?
First, try not to panic if you’ve lost your hearing aids. More often than not, our patients misplace them around their homes and eventually find them. Some other things you can do to try to locate your lost hearing aid include:
- Track Them with an App – If you have Bluetooth hearing aids or smart hearing aids, they may come with an app that has a “find my hearing aid” feature. This is the first thing you should do if a quick search of your immediate surroundings comes up short. Check your “find my hearing aid” function on your app to see a map with the last known location of the paired hearing aids.
- Retrace Your Steps – This might sound like common sense, but it helps to retrace your exact steps from the moment you realize you lost your hearing aid. If you were visiting a business, call them to see if anything was turned into the lost and found. Describe to them what your hearing aids look like and leave your contact information so they’ll know how to return the devices if a good Samaritan turns them in. You might want to check back several times if you still can’t find it around your home. You should also check all your vehicle’s small and hidden spots to see if one fell into a crevice.
- Contact Your Hearing Care Provider – If your hearing aids aren’t paired with an app or the last location didn’t find them, you should inform your hearing care provider you’ve misplaced them. Most hearing aids are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty for one-time loss and damage for at least the first year (sometimes longer). Your provider can tell you if you’re covered. They can also help you use your hearing aids app if you’re unsure.
Hearing Aid Warranties
When you’re professionally fitted for hearing aids by your hearing care provider, you can purchase additional coverage for your devices through third-party insurance. Some hearing aid wearers add a special rider to their homeowner’s insurance policy to cover hearing aid loss and damage. If your hearing aid manufacturer covers loss or damage, you can ask your hearing care provider about next steps. You might need a notarized letter for your insurance or the manufacturer. You should also be aware that while your hearing aids could be covered under warranty, your hearing care provider might charge you for the time or professional fitting for your new devices when they arrive.
How to Prevent Misplacing or Losing Your Hearing Aids
While it helps to know what to do in the event of losing them, most hearing aid wearers would prefer to avoid misplacing their devices altogether. Some things you can do to prevent lost hearing aids include:
- If you enjoy participating in recreational activities outdoors, you can use a clip to help keep your hearing aids secure.
- Make sure in-the-ear hearing aids or behind-the-ear hearing aids fit snugly and properly. If they feel loose or move around when you’re walking, ask your hearing care provider to double-check the fit.
- Never leave hearing aids within reach of children or pets.
- Investing in a waterproof or damage-proof case can help prevent unnecessary device damage when you’re around water, enjoying the outdoors, or working out at the gym.
- If you store your hearing aids in the same safe place every night, you’ll always know where to expect them in the morning. If they’re rechargeable, you can keep them by their charger.
- Don’t get in the habit of taking off your hearing aids throughout the day. You’re more likely to misplace them, and wearing your devices all day is healthy for your brain.
- If you wear hearing aids and a face mask simultaneously, you should always be extremely cautious when putting it on and taking it off. Always check to ensure they’re still in your ears after removing your mask.
- If you take care of someone who wears hearing aids, review these tips with them and set up a routine they can follow for putting on and removing their hearing aids.
Contact Main Line Audiology for Expert Care Today
Today’s digital hearing aids are equipped with advanced technology that allows us to track them even when we’re not wearing them. If your hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible or “smart” and you’ve misplaced them, the hearing care providers at Main Line Audiology can help guide you through the process of locating them and prevent losing them in the future.
Our hearing care services are designed to meet a broad range of needs, from custom hearing protection to comprehensive hearing evaluations. Contact us for assistance with your lost hearing aids or to learn more about what we offer patients throughout the region. You can also schedule an appointment online to dive into your hearing healthcare during a one-on-one consultation at one of our conveniently located hearing care centers in Philadelphia, PA and the surrounding areas, including Jenkintown and Audubon.
