Taking Care of Your Hearing Aids - The Hearing Club Audiology Clinic

Taking care of your hearing aids will prolong their life and help you get the most out of them. The average lifespan of hearing aids is up to seven years, which could be longer if cared for.

Your hearing aids are an important investment, so it’s imperative that you know how to look after them. The manufacturer’s cleaning and care instructions will come with your devices. It’s important to follow these carefully.

You should never try to repair them yourself. If your device is malfunctioning or damaged, you should take them to your audiologist for repairs.

Cleaning your hearing aids

It’s important to keep your devices clean of ear wax. A build up can cause feedback and muted sound and damage the receiver. A good habit to get into, is to clean them every evening when you take them out to go to bed.

Your hearing aids can be cleaned with a cotton bud to rub off caked on wax. It needs to be done every day to keep up the performance of your devices. You can also get an ear wax pick and brush set specific for the job. Never clean them with alcohol wipes or use a pin to remove the debris.

If you have a Behind the Ear (BTE) device, the ear mould will need cleaning. Gently pull the tubing off and soak in some water until all build up is softened. Rinse in warm water till clean and shake it dry and dab off extra moisture with a tissue or soft cleaning cloth.

Replace the wax guard

You will need to change the wax guard regularly. These protect the internal workings of your device from wax damage and build up. As the wax guards are not standardised, you will have to get the right ones for your device. Your audiologist can advise you on the filters you need and show you how to change them.

Change the batteries frequently

The trapped moisture in your hearing aids can cause the batteries to corrode. When you are not wearing your devices for a length of time, air out the batteries by opening the battery compartment. You can also take the batteries out to dry them.

When you are changing the batteries, it’s important to clean the contact points in the battery chamber. Leaving any build up will affect the efficiency of the hearing aid.

Keeping your hearing aids dry

Although most hearing aids are water resistant, they are not water proof. It is recommended that you avoid leaving them in a damp place or wearing them in the rain. Moisture will damage the circuitry within the device. Take them out while swimming or showering. Soap, after shaves, makeup and hair spray can also damage the device, so put them in after you have done your morning ablutions. Avoid leaving them in the bathroom where the moisture from steam can permeate.

If you accidentally get them wet, dry them with a cloth. Never dry them with heat from a hair dryer or heater as you could damage them. For wearers who are in a humid environment, there are specialised hearing aid dehumidifiers to store them in. You can also remove moisture by placing them in a drying pouch that contains silica gel which will absorb the damp.

Extreme heat or cold

Extremes in temperature can cause your hearing aids to malfunction. Avoid wearing them in freezing conditions if you can. If you are outside in the heat, leave your hearing aids inside in the cool if possible.

Schedule routine maintenance with your Audiologist

Taking your hearing aids to your audiologist for regular maintenance will help prolong the life of your devices. A professional will keep them fine tuned and adjusted to your hearing needs. A regular check up of your hearing aids by an audiologist is recommended every four to six months.

The Hearing Cub

The Hearing Club is a local and independent hearing service provider. Our aim is to assist the hearing impaired to achieve the greatest enjoyment from life.

We are a family business accredited to provide services through the Commonwealth Office of Hearing Services system, WorkSafe and experienced in excellence providing services to private clients in the area. We are proud of our history and commitment to the local community improving lifestyle through better hearing.

If you would like to schedule a maintenance appointment for your hearing aids, our professional audiologists are here to help.

To make an appointment with one of our staff please call 1800 627 728. To find a clinic near you, contact us online today.

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