Hearing Aid Maintenance

Only takes a few moments out of your day to adequately care for them. Here are some quick tips to gain a better understanding of how to care for these incredible devices:

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

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.

Seasonality and Traveling with Hearing Aids

Traveling with hearing aids can be simple, safe, and enjoyable if you know some simple do’s and don’ts. Here are our top tips to follow for easy travel with hearing aids:

Do:
  • Always keep extra batteries for your device with you.
  • If you are traveling by air, take all your hearing aid supplies with you on the plane in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked bags). This should include batteries, accessories, your charging station, etc. You don’t want to get caught on the plane without the things you need!
  • If you are passing through a TSA security checkpoint, wear your hearing aids—don’t remove them. Put any accessories or assistive devices through the X-ray screening.
  • Pack along a dry aid kit. This is especially important if you are traveling on or near water, such as at the beach, ocean, or lake.
  • When you arrive at your destination, set up a station for your hearing aid supplies and accessories. This will keep everything organized and easily accessible in one place.
Don’t:
  • Don’t leave your hearing aids at home or take them off during your travels because of concern about how difficult it will be to travel with hearing devices. The better you hear, the better your travel experience will be! If you are new to hearing aids, be sure to keep wearing them—this helps your brain get used to the hearing aids.
  • Don’t forget your device cleaning tools, such as a brush, cloth, or wax guards.
  • Don’t forget your device accessories, such as your microphone. Having all your accessories with you will make your experience better and your travel more enjoyable.
  • If you are traveling by air, do not turn off your hearing aids or any wireless features while on the plane. Hearing aids and other medical devices (like pacemakers) do not need to be turned off during flight because they do not emit any signals that could interfere with aircraft controls.
  • Don’t neglect to inform others that you experience hearing loss and are wearing hearing aids. We recommend that you tell your travel companions that you wear hearing aids, as well as a flight attendant if you are traveling by air. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it!

Weather changes can also affect hearing aids. If you notice that your hearing aid sounds quieter than usual, or if you experience crackling sounds during Winter, you may be experiencing problems due to moisture. To correct this and to prevent it in the future, be sure to thoroughly dry your device.

How to Manage Earwax and Ongoing Wear and Tear

Earwax is natural and cleans, lubricates, and protects the ear canals by trapping dirt and impeding the spread of bacteria. Most of the time, old earwax moves through the ear canal via jaw movements and chewing motions. When it spreads to the outside of the ear, it flakes off. But when you wear a hearing aid, earwax can be problematic.

For regular at-home care, the most common tools used for cleaning hearing aids include:

  • Wax removal brush
  • Soft, clean, dry cloth
  • Wax pick/wire loop
  • Vent cleaner

Some cleaning procedures should be done daily, while others may be done once a week.

Daily Maintenance

Do the following each morning; morning is best because the hearing aid has had time to dry overnight, making wax and buildup easier to remove.

  • Wipe down the entire hearing aid gently with a soft cloth
  • Gently brush the microphone cover to remove any ear debris
Weekly Maintenance

Approximately once per week, spend a little more time removing additional residue.

  • Use a wax pick/wire loop to gently remove any stubborn deposits or wax buildup
  • DO NOT use the pick around the microphone or receiver ports
  • Check and replace the wax guard as needed (for models with wax guards)

Make sure to read your hearing aid manual and talk to your hearing healthcare provider before cleaning your hearing aids on your own. Schedule regular visits with your provider (about every 6 months to a year) for a thorough cleaning and check-up.