To help keep your hearing aids functioning properly for years to come, you’ll want to learn about proper care and maintenance. And while it may feel like an additional burden, with the right process your hearing aid care will become easy and automatic.
The secret is building productive habits.
If you assimilate your hearing aid care into your everyday and nightly routines, before long it won’t seem like any additional work at all.
Here are some tips for the daily care of your hearing aids (which your hearing professional will also go over with you):
Clean your hearing aids daily – Aim to include your hearing aid cleansing into your evening routine, so it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth. This is crucial because daily hearing aid cleansing can protect against the build-up of earwax, dirt, and dust into the different parts of the hearing aid, which can cause distorted sound with time.
You’ll want to clean your hearing aid with a soft, dry cloth, while avoiding any liquids that can ruin the hearing aid electronics. Check with your hearing specialist for special instructions on cleaning each model of hearing aid.
You may also consider buying a hearing aid sanitizer, which uses ultraviolet light to safely and completely kill dangerous pathogens. Hearing aid cleaning kits are also available with all of the tools you’ll need to safely and securely clean the device without causing harm to the electronics.
Always check the batteries – Hearing aid batteries should always be tested and replaced frequently to assure top hearing aid functionality. Consider using a battery tester each morning to ensure you have sufficient power for the remainder of the day, and keep an extra set of batteries with you.
At night, when your hearing aids are not being used, turn them off and store them in a cool, dry place with the battery door open.
Store your hearing aids in a safe and secure place – In regard to storage, you’ll want to keep in mind three things:
- Keep the hearing aids away from moisture. This means that storing your hearing aids in the bathroom is probably a bad idea.
- Try to avoid subjecting the hearing aids—and hearing aid batteries—to extremes in temperature. You’ll want to store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid storing your hearing aids out in the open, where they can become damaged.
We recommend storing your hearing aids in a container or drying kit inside the drawer of a bedroom side table. This will safeguard the hearing aids from moisture, temperature extremes, and damage from being pushed off the table.
In addition, remember to remove your hearing aids prior to showering, swimming, or using a hair dryer or hair spray.
Maintain ear hygiene – While earwax has several advantageous attributes, like protection and lubrication of the ear canal, it can cause severe damage to your hearing aids. As it gets wedged within the hearing aid hardware, sound can become distorted.
Make sure you’re maintaining proper ear hygiene, and if you experience increased earwax, consider setting up a visit with a professional.
Carefully insert your hearing aids – When putting in your hearing aids, lean over a table or soft surface in the event that the hearing aids fall. Hearing aids are made with fragile electronics, so a fall on a hard surface could cause significant damage.
Even with diligent cleaning and maintenance, after a while the hearing aid will require more complete cleaning or repair.
To ensure that you continue to achieve the best sound possible, we recommend having your hearing aids professionally cleaned by a hearing professional at a minimum twice per year.
Hearing care professionals can provide you with a deep cleaning, a tune-up, and will on occasion replace parts. Staying on top of this routine maintenance will extend the life of your hearing aids and will ensure that you achieve the optimal sound.