Caring for Your Hearing Aids

Overview

Taking care of your hearing aids helps you get the most out of them. If you don't, your hearing aids can develop serious problems. Here's what you need to know to keep your hearing aids working well.

The basics

First, don't forget the basics. Hearing aids are constantly in contact with earwax. Things like hair products, rain, dust and grime also get to them. So it's important to clean them every day. And make sure you dry them whenever they get wet. Use a soft cloth for a basic wipe-down at the end of every day. Consider buying a cleaning kit for those hard-to-reach places.

Clearing wax

As you clean away the wax, give special attention to the microphone and the receiver. The microphone is delicate, so be gentle with it. Don't ever poke anything into the microphone port or you may damage it. Follow your aids' cleaning instructions to clear wax and debris from where they get trapped.

Batteries

Remove the batteries from your hearing aids at night. This helps preserve the life of the batteries. It airs out the battery compartment and keeps your hearing aids dry. And when you take out the batteries, make sure the battery compartments are clean and free of debris.

Don't ignore problems

Occasionally, you may have to deal with a damaged or clogged part. Things like tubing and wax guards wear out. Batteries need to be replaced. Make sure you have spare parts on hand so you can take care of these minor issues.

Conclusion

And finally, make sure you schedule regular maintenance visits with your hearing specialist. They will clean and test all the parts of your hearing aids to make sure they're working like they should.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.