Your hearing aids don’t need much in order to function effectively, but a little bit of daily care will help to go a long way toward their longevity. Remember the following simple tips for the cleaning, storage and care of your devices and enjoy their effectiveness for years to come:
Cleaning
- Thoroughly wipe your hearing aids daily with a dry, soft cloth.
- Never use water or any cleansers on your devices; they must always stay dry.
- Store your aids in a dehumidifier kit to reduce moisture.
- Regularly remove earwax from your device using a wax loop or brush.
- Keep sounds crisp by changing your wax filters every 1-2 months or whenever sounds seem weak.
- If your earmolds or tubing become stiff, dry, discolored, or cracked, schedule an appointment with us for a replacement.
Storing
- Leave the battery door open when you are not wearing your hearing aid.
- Protect your device from moisture and humidity by storing it in a cool, dry place.
- Keep your aid away from excessive heat.
- Hearing aids should be kept in a protective case. Never put them in your pocket or wrap them in a tissue.
- Small hearing aids are a choking hazard. Keep them out of reach from pets and children.
Care
- Hearing aids should always stay dry. Remove them before showering, swimming, or entering a sauna or steam shower.
- If your devices get wet, immediately open the battery door and remove the battery. Call our office to schedule an appointment to ensure they have not become damaged.
- Personal products like hair spray, sunscreen, makeup, or lotion can damage your devices. Remove your hearing aids before using these items.
- Contact our office to schedule routine maintenance and performance checks.
- Handle your hearing aids with care and avoid dropping or banging them on hard surfaces.
Hearing Aid Batteries
Imagine how much power it takes to process all of the sounds around you 24/7 and you’ll begin to understand how crucial battery power is to your hearing aids. Depending on your specific model, you may find that you use a fair amount of batteries each month, but every situation will be different. Some styles offer rechargeable options, giving you the convenience of never having to worry about changing your device’s batteries again. Yet in most cases, you can expect to change your hearing aid batteries every 5 to 21 days depending on the style, battery size and how frequently you use your devices. To help extend your battery life, try the following options:
- Always keep batteries in a dry location that is out of reach from pets and children. Do not place your batteries in the refrigerator.
- Dead batteries should be disposed of immediately as they might leak or corrode your hearing aid.
- Batteries come with removable tabs. Do not remove the tab until you are ready to use the battery, or else it will slowly lose power.
Never place batteries in your mouth. If a battery is swallowed, call the battery ingestion hotline printed on the back of each pack of batteries immediately.