How to Properly Maintain Your Hearing Aid at Home

If you wear a hearing aid, it is crucial to know how to properly maintain it at home. There are a few things you can do on a regular basis to keep your device in good condition and ensure that it continues to work properly. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to care for your hearing aid at home. This will help you avoid the need for professional hearing aid repairs. We will also provide some helpful tips for troubleshooting common problems. Let’s get started.

Keep it Clean

The most important thing you can do to care for your hearing aid is to keep it clean. Hearing aids are susceptible to a build-up of earwax and other debris, so it’s essential to clean them on a regular basis. You should use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe down the device, being careful not to damage any of the delicate parts.

If your hearing aid has removable parts, be sure to clean those as well. In addition, you should brush the tubing with a soft toothbrush at least once a week. It is also important to clean the microphone port and speaker opening regularly.

Clean Hands

Before doing anything else, make sure your hands are clean. Hearing aids can easily become contaminated with bacteria or other dirt, so handling them with clean hands is vital.

Wax Filter

Once your hands are clean, gently remove the hearing aid from your ear. If you notice any wax build-up on the device, use a soft cloth to wipe it away. Be careful not to use anything sharp as this could damage the hearing aid. Replace the wax filter regularly. The frequency depends on how often you wear your hearing aid, but typically filters need to be replaced every three months or so.

Extend the Battery Life

If your hearing aid has a battery compartment, open it up and check the batteries. If they are low, replace them with new ones. Make sure to properly dispose of the old batteries. Remove the battery from the hearing aid when it is not in use.

This will help extend the life of the battery. Once you have replaced the batteries, close up the battery compartment and put the hearing aid back in your ear. If everything is working properly, you should be able to hear again.

Keep Free from Moisture

It’s also essential to keep your hearing aid free from moisture. When you’re not wearing it, store the device in a dry, safe place away from direct sunlight or extreme heat or cold. If your hearing aid does get wet, be sure to remove the battery and allow it to dry thoroughly before putting it back into use.

Handle with Care

It is vital to handle your hearing aid carefully. Rough handling can damage the delicate parts of the device. When not in use, hearing aids should be stored in a case to protect them from being dropped or crushed.

Extreme Temperatures

You should avoid exposing your hearing aid to extreme temperatures. Hot or cold temperatures can damage the delicate electronics inside the device. If you must be in an environment with extreme temperatures, such as outdoors in the winter or summer, you should remove your hearing aid and store it in a safe, temperate place.

Avoid Dust and Small Particles

You should keep your hearing aid away from dust and other small particles. Dust can clog the microphone port and speaker opening, causing problems with sound quality. Small particles can also cause damage to the delicate parts of the hearing aid.

What to do When Having Trouble with Your Hearing Aid

If you’re having trouble with your hearing aid, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem:

• First, make sure that the device is properly fitted and that all the settings are correct.
• If that doesn’t fix the issue, try cleaning the hearing aid as described above.
• If neither of those solutions works, then it may be time for a new battery or even a new device altogether.

If you notice that your hearing aid is not working as well as it used to, it may be time for a professional cleaning. Contact your audiologist if you have any other questions or concerns about maintaining your hearing aid. They will be able to help you keep your device in good working order for years to come. To learn more, contact the Salyer Hearing Center at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599 and Murphy: 828-835-1014