How to Properly Maintain Your Hearing Aid at Home

If you experience hearing loss, hearing aids will be one of the greatest comforts in your life. These tiny devices have been refined over the years to give you a discreet way of combatting hearing loss. By speaking to an audiologist and undergoing a hearing examination, you can get the ideal hearing aids for your type of hearing loss. They will be custom-made to fit your ears, as well as being programmed with all the features you need to live life to the fullest. 

Consequently, it is important that you look after and maintain your hearing aids. You need them to last for as long as possible while maintaining optimal functionality. Many people neglect to maintain their hearing aids, and it means they end up breaking or not working correctly. To avoid this – and to avoid the necessary hearing aid repairs or replacements – here’s how you should properly look after your hearing aids at home. 

Clean Your Hearing Aids Every Day

Your hearing aids need to be cleaned daily as they will become dirty. After all, they are placed in your ears, meaning they can end up with earwax on them. If you don’t clean them regularly, they can become damaged and stop working correctly. 

So, cleaning your hearing aids every day is essential, but how do you do it: 

• Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe your hearing aids
• Get a small wax pick to remove any wax that’s in the hearing aid tube.
• Sweep away any debris using a soft toothbrush
• Ensure your hands are clean and that your hearing aid is on a dry surface before you clean.

Never use any liquid on your hearing aids, even if they are waterproof. All you will need is a soft cloth, a wax pick and a soft toothbrush. This will help you clean your hearing aids and keep them in good working order for longer. 

Remove Your Hearing Aids When Showering

The same goes for if you are swimming or sitting in a sauna. Hearing aids are usually water-resistant, meaning you can wear them when it rains without major issues. However, they are rarely waterproof. Wearing them while exposing yourself to water or steam can mean that excessive moisture gets inside the device. When this happens, components can break, meaning your hearing aids stop working. 

Always remember to remove your hearing aids before you shower, and ensure your ears are dry before putting them back in. 

Store Your Hearing Aids in a Safe and Dry Environment

Similarly, you need to store your hearing aids in a dry place to maintain them. When you remove them, place them somewhere that’s dry and safe from harm’s way. It is recommended that you put them in places that are hard to reach. This can stop instances where a young child or pet can accidentally grab the hearing aids and damage them. 

Furthermore, you need to store them in a clean place to avoid getting dirt or debris on them. Otherwise, you’ll just need to clean them again! It is a good idea to speak to your audiologist about hearing aid cases or pouches. You can get some that will protect your hearing aids when you’re not using them, while also helping them dry out to prevent any moisture from building up inside. 

Leave the Battery Compartment Open Every Night

We’ve mentioned moisture a few times, and it is one of the biggest worries for hearing aid users. One of the major concerns is getting moisture in the battery compartment. Thus, audiologists advise that you leave the battery compartment open every single night. 

In essence, you’re letting your hearing aids breathe. It stops moisture from getting inside the compartment and can help any moisture evaporate if it is already in there. This simple tip can preserve battery life and make your hearing aids last for longer. 

Avoid Getting Dirt on Your Hearing Aids

Always handle your hearing aids with clean hands. Never touch them with greasy or sticky hands, as this can cause complications inside them. Also, try to avoid getting any dirt on them. If you play sports, it’s probably not a good idea to wear them if you end up rolling around in muddy conditions. 

Similarly, if you wear makeup, avoid getting any on the hearing aids as it can clog up tiny holes and stop the devices from working correctly. Hearing aid maintenance is essential to keep your devices in the best condition possible. If you need more advice or guidance on hearing aids, contact an audiologist at Atlantic Audiology today! Call us today at (401) 262-0170 to learn more.