How Should I Care For my Hearing Aid?

Woman putting on her hearing aid over the couch in case she drops it.

How would you deal with it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Such as in the middle of a phone call?

That’s not something anybody wants! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your overall health. Keeping them functioning at maximum condition lets you obtain the greatest possible advantages from them.

The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them performing at peak condition.

1. Understand The Instructions

The most beneficial results will be achieved when you utilize the manual that came with your hearing aids. These manuals often include troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical challenges.

Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.

The manual should cover any issues related to the performance of your hearing aids. Modern hearing aids work differently than the older models so even if you’ve used hearing aids before this is important. After all, there have been many advances in hearing aid technology in the past few years.

2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean

Hearing aids can provide a breeding ground for bacteria.

If you fail to clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you use them, an ear infection can be the result.

Ear infections can trigger further hearing concerns. Most go away quickly, but some can cause permanent damage.

After every use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread more quickly on moist surfaces. Never put your hearing aids in water. Taking care not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.

Clean them thoroughly once every week, including any custom mold pieces.

Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.

3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet

Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t leave them on the nightstand.

Hearing aids will accumulate dust which contains bacteria if they are left resting on an exposed surface.

Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Remember to take them out before you bathe or shower. Leave your hearing aids out of the bathroom when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.

Take an umbrella with you if it’s raining.

Always bring your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if the air has moisture.

Heat can also damage hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a blow dryer, sauna, or other intense heat.

4. Avoid Draining The Battery

Keep your battery charged and take a backup when you go to an important event.

When you take your hearing aids off to go to sleep, turn them all the way off. If you plan on not wearing them for an extended length of time, always remove the battery. If you let your hearing aids sit for long time periods with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their sensitive electronics can be harmed by battery acid.

You can significantly extend the life of your batteries with this advice but always bring a spare battery, just in case.

5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears

Anytime you’re putting something in your ear, it will push a small amount of earwax inside the canal. Voices will eventually begin to sound muted as this earwax accumulates. Schedule an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.

The removal process is simple with the right tools. It should only be performed by a trained professional with the expertise to take care of and service your hearing aids.

6. Put in Your Hearing Aids Over a Soft Surface

Taking the chance of dropping your hearing aid into the sink or toilet is really not worth it. This can definitely lead to dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Always insert your devices over a soft surface like a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on the kitchen table.

7. If You Aren’t Experiencing Improved Hearing, Talk To a Specialist

You need to keep wearing your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. There are answers. Schedule an appointment for a consultation.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.