Hearing Aid Care & Maintenance An illustration to represent Hearing Aid Care & Maintenance

Hearing Aid Care & Maintenance Tips

How Do I Know I am Getting the Most Out of My Hearing Aids?

Your hearing aids are a big investment and we are here to help you protect that investment at every step. That’s why we schedule regular maintenance visits with you to make sure your devices are clean, working properly, and are helping you hear your world better. 

Signs You Need to Get Your Hearing Aids Checked

Grandma and grandson laughing and blowing bubbles at the park

There is no sound coming out of them

Before you call us, be sure to replace your batteries or recharge your unit. If they still don’t work, then for sure give us a call.

You can hear the startup tone, but no sound after that

This is a sign that the microphone is clogged and you need a cleaning.

Your ears are sore or itchy

This is a sign that you have an improper fit.

You hear too much whistling or feedback

Anytime you cover your hearing aid and force the sound back into the microphone, some feedback will happen. If you are experiencing this without covering your device, come see us.

Weak or dull sound quality

This may mean we need to adjust your prescription.

Damage to the devices themselves

If your device gets broken, we can fix it. Sometimes these are even covered under warranty.

Some sounds are too loud or sharp

There is always a warm-up period for the first couple of months with a new device. Your ears and brain are getting used to hearing sounds they haven’t heard in a while, and it can be a little disorienting. If you are already past the initiation phase and you start hearing sounds differently, this might mean we need to adjust your device.

When Should I Take My Hearing Aids Off?

Above view of smiling woman sleeping in bed.

At bedtime

We like to recommend a bedtime routine for hearing aids. Your ears need a chance to recover and dry, and so do your devices! This involves taking out your aids, giving them a quick cleaning, and checking them for any damage.

Around water

Water and hearing aids aren’t a good mix. If you’re swimming, showering, or caught in a monsoon, it’s a good idea to take off your hearing aids and store them somewhere safe and dry. 

If you’re overwhelmed

The first few months of wearing hearing aids is called the adaptation period, where your brain gets adjusted to hearing sounds it hasn’t heard in a long time. Some of our clients say that this can feel overwhelming or disorienting. If this happens, take a break from wearing them, especially if you’re at home relaxing.

When cutting or styling your hair

Chemicals in hair products can clog or damage your devices. The same goes for sharp scissors and pointy bristles on a brush or comb. Leave your devices off until you’ve finished getting your hair just right.

Regular Hearing Aid Maintenance

Most hearing aids last three to seven years, so to get the longest life and the best success from your devices, we’ve made a list of helpful tips so you can best care for them.

Start a good bedtime routine

  • Take your devices out of your ears
  • Clean your hearing aids with a soft cloth
  • Check for any clogs in the battery compartment or the inner-ear portions
  • Check for any damage
  • Remove the batteries or place them on your charger, if they are rechargeable
  • Store them in a dry place (especially with a dehumidifier)

Replace parts as needed

Many hearing aid models are made with replaceable parts like tubes and filters that are meant to be replaced every once in a while.  All devices come with some kind of manufacturer’s warranty in case something happens. We will make sure you understand all the ins and outs of your particular device’s warranty and which parts need to be replaced and when at your fitting appointment.

Attend your regular maintenance appointments

We schedule one or two maintenance appointments each year to check your devices, clean them really well, and make sure your prescription is still the right fit for your needs. These appointments are really important for the longevity of your hearing aids and shouldn’t be skipped!

Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Tips

We want you to be thrilled with your hearing aids. If your devices aren’t working like they should, make sure you have done these simple troubleshooting steps to see if that makes a difference:

  • Remove and reinsert the device
  • Remove and replace the battery
  • Clean the battery compartment
  • Check your programming settings
  • Replace tubing and wax filters