How Do You Care for Hearing Aids?

Your hearing aid can be one of the most important pieces of technology in your life. If you’ve partnered with an audiologist to choose the right devices, they can help you regain the world of the hearing once more. As impressive as they are, however, they can still be quite delicate and require some care to ensure they keep working as effectively as possible. So, how do you care for your hearing aid?

Performing listening checks

When you put your hearing aid in for the first time in the morning, make sure you perform a hearing check. Most hearing aids will produce a melody or sound to signify that they are working. You can use a listening tube to make sure that the sound is clear and without any breaks. If you experience feedback or any other issues, you may want to ask your audiologist about taking a look.

Checking the batteries

Unless your hearing aid comes with a charger, it runs on batteries that tend to have a lifespan of a week or two. If you have any issues with sound clarity or smoothness, changing the batteries may help. It’s wise to always have some spares on hand. You can make sure that your batteries last as long as possible by storing them in a cool, dry place when you’re not using your hearing aid, handling them with care. If they are left in the hearing aid for an extended period of time, they can leak and corrode the device.

Keeping it clean

Earwax, dust and other debris can build up on the surface of a hearing over time. This can clog up parts of the device, like the microphone, which can make it less effective. If your hearing aid isn’t cleaned every day, it can lead to severe malfunctions. Your hearing aid manual should contain detailed instructions on how to effectively clean it. In most cases, a soft, dry cloth is enough to clean the surface and your ear molds can be removed and cleaned with mild soap. Once you have finished cleaning, you can dry them with cotton swabs. Do not use a hair dryer, microwave or dryer to dry them, as these methods can all severely damage the device.

Keeping it dry

Too much exposure to moisture can cause your hearing aids to malfunction, eroding the casing and damaging the delicate circuitry inside. Don’t wear your hearing aids in the shower or bath and keep them out of the bathroom if there’s too much condensation in there. When taking your hearing aids out overnight, place them in their specialized container, which is designed to dehumidify them. Again, make sure you take the batteries out of the device before placing them in the container.

If you have any more questions about caring for your hearing aid or you are experiencing trouble with it, you should arrange an appointment with your audiologist. They can offer more specific advice for your particular device and can perform most repairs right there in the office.