What should a nurse teach a client who has just received new hearing aids regarding their maintenance?

Teaching clients the proper maintenance for hearing aids is crucial to ensure their effectiveness and longevity. The emphasis on keeping hearing aids dry and away from moisture is particularly important because moisture can damage electronic components. Humidity can lead to corrosion of these parts, resulting in malfunctions or decreased performance.

Maintaining dryness helps to prevent issues like muffled sound or total failure of the device. Clients should be advised to remove their hearing aids before activities like bathing, swimming, or exercising to avoid any exposure to moisture.

While using alcohol wipes may be appropriate for cleaning some devices, it is often not recommended for hearing aids, as the alcohol can damage certain materials used in the hearing aids. Frequent battery replacement might be required, but it typically depends on usage and individual device specifications, not just a set timeline. Storage in warm locations can also be risky; excessive heat may harm the device. Thus, the focus on keeping hearing aids dry aligns with best practices for maintenance, ensuring optimal function and longevity.