How to Care for Your Hearing Aids

During your hearing aid fitting, your hearing healthcare professional will show you how to care for and check your hearing aids regularly. Your hearing aids require daily care and attention to ensure they continue to function properly. To aid in hearing aid maintenance, consider purchasing a listening tube, battery tester, forced air blower and a drying container for your hearing aids.

Perform listening checks

First, perform listening checks by using a listening tube. A listening tube allows you to be sure your hearing aids sound clear. Your hearing healthcare professional will teach you signs of malfunction, like weakness or scratchiness, intermittency or internal feedback.

Replace your batteries

While battery technology is getting better, they typically only last 10 days to two weeks. Use a battery tester weekly to see how much power your batteries have left. Always keep spare batteries with you, storing them in a cool, dry place. Discard batteries properly as they are toxic.

Clean your hearing aids

Cleaning your hearing aids is the most important part of your daily hearing aid maintenance routine. Check for dirt and grime, which can cause static or feedback. This usually happens when the hearing aids are not properly cleaned. To avoid build-up from clogging the microphone and sound ports of your hearing aids, it’s vital to clean the hearing device daily with hearing aids tools, such as a hearing aid cleaning brush, an ear hook, wax pick or wire loop or a multitool, which is a sort of “Swiss Army Knife” of hearing aid cleaning tools.

Keep your hearing aids dry

Last, minimize moisture in your hearing aids by placing them in a dehumidifier at night. A forced air blower helps keep earmolds and tubing clear from moisture, dirt and debris. To use, unhook the tubing from the earhook , insert the bulb into the tubing and squeeze. A dehumidifier is another must-have tool for hearing aids. It is an inexpensive dry container that keeps moisture from building up inside the hearing aids. Take the batteries out of the hearing aids before placing them inside the storage containers.

Keep in mind that hearing aids require professional maintenance twice a year. If your hearing aids are causing feedback or static even with daily maintenance, consider contacting your hearing healthcare professional for additional support and advice on hearing aid care!