Hearing Aid Upkeep, Use, and Maintenance

https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/cleaning

Hearing aids are a great communication tool to improve relationships and overall quality of life. Sometimes, it can feel like extra work to wear them and take care of them if you are not aware of the most effective care methods.

The most important part of maintaining hearing aids is to make sure they are clean in all the necessary places. Keeping hearing aid microphones clean is important because if sound cannot be picked up by the hearing aids, then it cannot be adequately amplified and transmitted to the ear. Do not wear hearing aids if there is a possibility that they could get wet or be exposed to excess moisture (swimming, shower, sweat, sauna, etc.). It is also important to keep the speaker clean as well. This is where the sound comes out of the hearing aid and is then sent to the ear. If there is wax, dead skin, or debris in the speaker area, sound will not be transmitted to the ear as effectively as it should be. When hearing aids are not clean, sound can be distorted or weak, or you can feel like the hearing aid is not working at all. Most hearing aid parts can be kept clean by the user taking good care of the hearing aids. This involves wiping down the hearing aids with a moist cloth or dry tissue. If the hearing aids have a dome, they can be removed, cleaned, and replaced. If the hearing aids have a filter, it can also be removed and replaced by a new filter. If the hearing aids have earmolds, the earmolds can be cleaned, and the user can see if there is ear wax in the tube that needs to be removed. The audiologists can also clean the hearing aids even further with specific hearing aid tools.

It is important to see your audiologist every year or twice a year for clean and check appointments. This regular upkeep will ensure the hearing aids are working to their full potential and prolong the lifespan of the hearing aids. The better they are taken care of, the longer they will be useful and free of dust, debris, or ear wax. Hearing aids should not be stressful or a burden. They should be a simple and effective communication tool to improve quality of life and remove the stress of hearing loss. With a better understanding of how to maintain hearing aids, users can comfortably wear them and get the full benefit they provide.