10 Steps For Maintaining the Value of Your Hearing Aids

Have you noticed a decrease in the performance of your hearing aids? Do you ever feel that you just aren't hearing as well with them as you would like? Here is the most important question: has it been more than six months since your last visit to your audiologist? Often times a routine clean and check of your hearing aids can make a world of difference in the sound quality they produce and sometimes, even in the power they provide. Regular in-house servicing can improve your hearing aid's performance and functionality. Ultimately, you are likely to maintain the value and extend the life of your hearing aids by doing so.

Having a regularly scheduled checkup is important because hearing aids have several parts that should be cleaned or replaced regularly in order to maintain optimal performance. Filters and wax traps are designed to decrease the likelihood of moisture, dust and debris collecting on the microphones and receivers. With time, these filters will clog, which will diminish the sound quality. Often times it will seem as though the hearing aid has stopped working all together. Regular checkups will decrease the likelihood of this possibility.

One style in particular, the behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid requires regular maintenance because of its use of tubing to relay sound from the hearing aid to the ear canal. The ear mold tubing and the ear hooks that are the attachment point for the tubing require periodic replacement. As the tubing ages, it will become stiff and discolored. Replacing the tubing will provide more flexibility, comfort and a better fitting ear mold. Routine maintenance of these parts is a simple way to keep your hearing aids in good working order.

There is a lot that can be done at home on a daily basis as well. Here are some tips for maintaining your hearing aids:

1. Clean and disinfect your hearing aids daily to avoid buildup of wax and debris.
2. Turn the aids off when not in use.
3. Remove the hearing aids before using hair products.
4. Do not expose your hearing aids to excessive heat, moisture or humidity.
5. Do not wear your hearing aids while bathing, showering or swimming.
6. Keep away from heat sources such as stoves, heat registers, hair dryers or open flame.
7. Avoid dropping your hearing aids or allowing the instrument to be subjected to rugged handling.
8. Keep away from pets.
9. Keep fresh batteries in your hearing aids to avoid losing battery power unexpectedly.
10. Invest in a drying kit to remove moisture accumulation from daily wear.

Keeping these tips in mind and visiting our office every six months is extremely important to the functionality of your hearing aids and to your overall hearing healthcare. If it has been a while since you have been in to our office, please call to schedule a routine clean and check appointment. Maintaining the health of your hearing aids is the best way to maintain the value of your investment.

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