Looking after your hearing aids

Looking after your hearing aids
A hearing aid needs to be maintained and looked after to
ensure it is working at its best potential. Not only will
this ensure you are getting the best out of your hearing
aid but it will prolong its life.

There are behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids both
need to be looked after and maintained.

Behind-the-ear hearing aid should be cleaned every night if
not at least once a week. Remove the ear mould and tubing
which needs to washed in warm soapy water and rinsed. Do
not dry them, leave them to dry. Once cleaned and dried
then fit them back to your hearing aid.

The hearing aid itself clean with a soft dry cloth only as
any solutions may damage the hearing aid.

The tube will need to be replaced every three to six
months; this will prevent cracks and hardening of the tube.
You should be shown how to replace the tube by your
dispenser. If you have two hearing aids ensure you keep
each mould and tube with the right hearing aid to put it
all back correctly.

In-the-ear hearing aids have no tubes to detach and clean
you should clean the aid with a dry soft cloth or tissue.
Do not use any liquid on the hearing aid as it may damage
it, only use the cloth.

Some in-the-ear hearing aids come with a wax pick and
instructions how to clean.

Not only do you need to ensure your hearing aid has been
cleaned regularly but change the battery often. If the
sounds become quieter, distorted, crackling then change the
battery. It is a good idea to carry your spare battery with
you just in case. Some hearing aids have a slight beeping
noise when the battery needs to be changed.

With NHS hearing aids the batteries should be supplied free
of charge which you should be able to collect form any
local hearing centre with your record book. Privately
bought hearing aids you will have to buy batteries which
you can normally get from local chemists.

Hearing aids should be kept away from water, heat, hair
products and body sprays as they may damage it. Try and
take your hearing aid out when you go to sleep and turn it
off to save the battery. Turning the hearing aid off
whenever you are not using the hearing aid can help
maintain the battery.

There are common problems which occur with hearing aids but
to establish which problem you should go through a
checklist. It may sound simple but always check the hearing
aid is on, the volume is up, not on setting 'T', the
battery is in correctly and change battery if needed.

All these points may sound like common sense but they are
easily done.

Remember to look after your hearing aid and it will last
longer.

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Information on buying and looking after your hearing aids.
http://www.my-hearing-aids.co.uk