How to Care For Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is a delicate instrument--and an expensive one. Taking a few minutes each day to care for your hearing aid properly will help you hear better, avoid problems like whistling or strange voice sounds, and prolong its useful life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hearing aid batteries
• Hearing aid cleaning kit
• Storage case

1. Handle your hearing aid carefully. Remember that it is a delicate instrument. Don't leave it lying around where it can be knocked onto the floor or into water. Keep it in its storage case when not in use.
2. Change the batteries regularly. Adopt a regular schedule for putting in new batteries so you never run out of power unexpectedly and have to fumble with your hearing aid in a place where you could lose it.
3. Clean your hearing aid. Use the cloth or tool kit that came with your hearing aid to clean it. Avoid soaps or cleansers if possible. It's best to wipe down your hearing aid every night after removing it. Open the door to the battery compartment to let the interior dry out.
4. Keep your hearing aid dry. Don't shower or swim with it. You may also want to remove it at the gym to keep it from getting damp with sweat. Insert your hearing aid after using hair products or hair dryers to keep from damaging it.
5. Remove the batteries if you aren't using your hearing aid. Batteries can leak, causing damage to the battery compartment.
6. Get an adjustment. If your hearing aid doesn't seem to be working correctly, see your doctor. Many times an adjustment solves the problem; occasionally the doctor has to remove wax from your ear canal to help you hear better.
7. Keep your hearing aid away from heat such as space heaters and radiators; never leave it a car on a warm day.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wear a behind-the-ear hearing aid, you can remove the part that goes into your ear and wash it with soap and water. Do this at night so it's completely dry when you put it in your ear the next morning.
• Don't dry your hearing aid by putting it in the microwave. If needed, you can buy a small air blower designed to dry hearing aids.