Hearing Aid Maintenance

By Author: Robin Pape
Total Articles: 4
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Hearing aids need regular maintenance and care to perform at their best. This prevents unnecessary repairs and provides the best value for your investment! Regular check-ups (3-6 months) are recommended to maintain the cleanliness and proper working of your hearing aids.

Here are a few maintenance tips to get the most out of your hearing instruments at home.

Earwax buildup is an issue. In order to prevent build up and obstruction, regular cleaning of both your ears and your hearing aids will go a long way! If you have especially waxy ears, you should visit your physician for periodic cleanings. At the time of your fitting, your specialist will make certain that proper cleaning techniques are used and will provide you with the cleaning tools you need. Small picks and loops can be used to gently pick away wax and debris from the receiver (loudspeaker) and vent openings. If the wax is dry, use a small brush to gently brush away debris from all openings. Remember to hold the hearing instrument with the receiver facing downward while cleaning.

In order to prevent moisture or oil build up from damaging a hearing ...
... instrument, its recommended that you use a dehumidifier or desiccant. Remove the battery from the hearing aid and place it in the dehumidifier or desiccant overnight. This may also be necessary in cases of accidental water or liquid contact with the aid. If a dehumidifier or desiccant is not available, place your hearing instrument with the battery removed in a bag of dry, uncooked rice over night.

Ear discomfort may be a result of ill-fitting earmolds or hearing instrument shells, improper placement, or incorrect venting of the earmolds or hearing aids. If you feel uncomfortable pressure or soreness while wearing or after wearing your aids, give us a call for an appointment to modify your earmold or hearing aid shell.

Your hearing specialist will help determine whether the hearing aid or earmold was improperly made or if it is just an issue with positioning. If the aid is inserted incorrectly, pain and pressure may result. If this is the case, they should demonstrate proper insertion and removal techniques.

Venting problems can also cause discomfort. Vents are simply an opening that extends through the entire aid or ear mold. Vents allow sounds to naturally enter the ear that may be heard well without amplifications. Venting also reduces the amplification of unwanted low pitch sounds for many users.

Batteries matter as well. Batteries are often the cause of weak or dead hearing instruments. A battery must be working correctly to properly power the aid. If the hearing aid is weak or dead, try changing batteries.

Ensure proper fit of the battery in the battery door. Make certain the size is correct. It is possible that a dead or a defective battery is the issue. If you feel that your batteries are not lasting the expected amount of time, or if the battery life has changed, contact your hearing specialist. Tests can be performed to make certain no issues with your hearing aid are causing reduced battery life.

Dr. Robin A. Pape, Au.D. Board Certified in Audiology AccuHear is a family-owned hearing center. We embrace and successfully solve even the most challenging of cases. Robin lives in Spring Hill with her husband, Paul and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with friends and family. Visit our blog to stay updated about the latest hearing aid technology.