Proper Care for your Hearing Aids
Today's hearing aids are sturdy, user-friendly, and dependable. In this section you will find a few important tips which will help to ensure that your hearing aids give you many years of hassle-free service.
Cleaning your hearing aids carefully
Always make sure your fingers are dry and clean before handling your hearing aids. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe your hearing aids. Water and cleaning agents can harm electronic circuitry. Each day, remove any earwax or dirt that has built up on the hearing aids. Use a soft brush to clean difficult to reach areas.
Do not drop the hearing aids
Insert and remove your hearing aids over a soft surface (a bed or sofa). Also, when inserting or removing the battery, work over a table, countertop, or soft surface to keep the hearing aids and/or battery from dropping on the floor.
Protect your hearing aids from heat or extreme cold
Avoid direct and excessive heat. Protect your hearing aids from direct sunlight (at home and in a parked car) and do not leave them near radiators or heaters. Also, take out your hearing aids when sitting under a hair dryer. Avoid severe cold temperatures as well.
Do not expose your hearing aids to moisture or immerse them in water
Take your hearing aids out of your ears before showering, bathing or swimming. Do not leave store your hearing aids in the bathroom where they could inadvertently suffer water damage. Keep your ears dry. Moisture can damage the circuitry in your hearing aids. It is a good idea to leave the battery compartments open overnight. If moisture is a concern, you may want to consider using a special drying kit for hearing aids. These dry aid kits are available from your hearing care professional.
Store your hearing aids in a safe place, out of the reach of pets and small children
When your aids are not in use, keep them in the presentation case or in dry aid kit. Also, open the battery door to prevent battery drain and allow the hearing aids to air out. If you are not going to use the hearing aid for a long period of time, remove the battery completely.
Dogs may be provoked by the feedback (whistling) sound and attracted by the owner's scent, frequently resulting in a chewed up hearing aid.
The hearing aid battery can be dangerous if swallowed. In case of ingestion, consult a physician or the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (collect at 202-625-3333) immediately.
Avoid wearing your hearing aids while applying make-up or hair spray
The fine particles produced by make-up or hair spray can easily obstruct the microphone component of your hearing aid, in doing so, reducing or prohibiting their performance.
Ear hygiene
Always make sure that your ears are clean and dry. If your hearing aids sound weak, it may be due to the sound outlet being blocked with wax or dirt. Contact your physician if excessive ear wax, skin irritation, or a foreign object prevents you from wearing your hearing aid.
See your hearing care professional for service of your hearing aid
If the hearing aid malfunctions, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Contact your hearing care professional. Screwdrivers, toothpicks, etc. can be fatal for hearing aids, and may void your warranty with the manufacturer. Simply touching the electronics of the hearing aid can lead to irreversible damage.
Troubleshooting
If you are having difficulty with your hearing aid, check this guide to find a possible solution.
No sound or not loud enough:
- Low/dead battery — replace the battery
- The sound channel may be blocked — clear the sound channel (small brush) or contact your hearing care professional
- Hearing aid turned off — turn the hearing aid on
- Volume may be set too low — move the volume wheel forward
- Hearing aid may be loose — reinsert your hearing aid
- Excessive ear wax in ear canals — contact your hearing care professional
- The battery door is not closed — close the battery door
Hearing aid “whistles” while in the ear:
- Excessive ear wax in ear canals — contact your hearing care professional
- Hearing aid may be loose — reinsert your hearing aid
- Hearing aid may not be sized properly — contact your hearing care professional
- The hearing aid is in the wrong ear — change it over
Hearing aid hurts your ear:
- The aid is not positioned correctly — reinsert the hearing aid. If the problem persists contact your hearing care professional
Sound of the hearing aid is not clear:
- Low/dead battery — replace the battery
- There may be poor battery contact — contact your hearing care professional
- Hearing aid may need to be reprogrammed — contact your hearing care professional
Intermittent sound:
- Low/dead battery — replace the battery
- The sound channel may be blocked — clear the sound channel (small brush) or contact your hearing care professional
- There may be poor battery contact — contact your hearing care professional
Static noise:
- Low/dead battery — replace the battery
- There may be poor battery contact — contact your hearing care professional
- You may be close to electromagnetic fields — move away from the area
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the suggestions above do not solve the problem, contact your hearing care professional.