Caring for Your Hearing Aids
A few minutes of daily habit adds years of reliable use.
Hearing aids are small, sophisticated, and worn in a warm and humid place for twelve or more hours a day. Almost everything that goes wrong with them is preventable. Here is what actually makes a difference.
Every Day
Wipe the devices down with a dry, soft cloth before bed — never water, alcohol, or cleaning solutions. Check the part that sits in your ear for wax and clear it with the brush or pick you were given. If your devices are rechargeable, place them in the charger overnight. If they use batteries, open the battery door so moisture can escape. Store them somewhere dry, out of the bathroom, and well away from pets — dogs are drawn to them and they do not survive the encounter.
Every Few Weeks
Change wax filters on the schedule you were shown. A blocked filter is the single most common reason a hearing aid seems to stop working, and replacing one takes under a minute. Inspect domes and tubing for stiffness, discolouration, or cracking, and replace them when they no longer look or feel right. If you use custom earmoulds, check that they still seal comfortably — whistling usually means they do not.
What to Keep Them Away From
Take them out before showering, swimming, or using a sauna. Remove them before applying hairspray or other aerosols, which coat the microphone ports. Do not leave them in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill. If a device does get wet, do not use a hairdryer or a microwave. Dry it gently with a cloth, open the battery door, place it in a drying container if you have one, and call the office.
Professional Clean and Check
Every six months, bring your devices in for a deep clean and performance check. Dr. Crawford removes wax and debris from places daily cleaning cannot reach, replaces worn parts, and confirms the devices are still delivering what your prescription calls for. Your hearing also changes over time. A periodic check makes sure the programming still matches the ears you have now, not the ears you had when the devices were fitted.
Common Questions
How long should hearing aids last?
Typically five to seven years with good care, though many people get longer. Daily maintenance and regular professional cleaning are the biggest factors.
Do I need a special drying container?
Not everyone does, but they help a great deal if you perspire heavily, work outdoors, or live somewhere humid — which covers a lot of East Tennessee summers.