7 Hearing Aid Care Tips

Hearing aids are incredibly important investments to your hearing and overall health. Because these small devices become vital to your everyday life, it’s important to know how to care for them properly.

Consider the following seven hearing aid care tips to keep your devices in optimal shape!

1. Wipe with a soft cloth

Keep your hearing aid clean to stop dust and dirt clogging dials and switches. This takes seconds and involves nothing more complex than wiping the device with a soft, dry cloth at the end of each day.

2. Clean the earmolds

When cleaning the device, pay particular attention to the earmolds. Because these sit in the ear canal they are prone to wax buildup, which in turn muffles sound and cause distortion or whistling.

Wipe the earpiece with that soft cloth and then examine the port. If the small hole is clogged with wax use a fine hook-like instrument (commonly supplied with basic care kits) to pick the wax out. Obviously, take care to avoid pushing the wax deeper.

3. Check the tubing

Another area to care for daily is the tubing that connects the earpiece to the receiver. It’s not uncommon for condensation to build up in the tubing, which interferes with sound transmission.

Each evening take a close look at the tubing and remove it if moisture is present. Try vigorously flicking the tubing to displace the condensation and then place the tube in a dehumidifier overnight. Tempting as it is, avoid blowing into the tubing as your breath is moisture rich.

4. Air the battery compartment

When not in use, open the battery compartment to allow the air to circulate. This compartment is a common place for condensation to hide, which in turn can cause corrosion of the contacts and impaired functionality. If the area is visibly damp, blot it with that soft cloth.

5. Remove the battery 

If for any reason you aren’t using the device for a day or so, remove the battery. Thus, should the battery leak there’s no risk of it corroding the delicate mechanism inside the hearing aid.

6. Consider a dehumidifier

Hearing devices are expensive, but a hearing aid dehumidifier is not! For a few dollars the latter is a great place to store your hearing aid overnight so that in the morning it is moisture free.

7. Avoid humid environments

Last but not least, be sensible about what you expose your hearing device to. For example, don’t leave it in the bathroom while you take a shower as the steam will condense inside it and cause corrosion. 

If you have any questions about your hearing aids or their maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact your hearing health provider to discuss any concerns!