It is very important to maintain your hearing aid properly. Hearing aids are delicate instruments, and looking after them is vital. You will need to know how to clean your hearing aid by removing wax buildup, how to replace and dispose of batteries and how to remove moisture from the aid. In order to properly maintain your hearing aid you will want a battery tester and spare batteries, silica gel packs and a plastic stethoscope. You will want to keep your hearing aid clean by wiping it daily with a dry tissue. Moisture is the enemy of your hearing aid, so do not wash it, even with a damp cloth. The silica gel packs are used to prevent moisture from getting into your hearing aid while you are not wearing it. The most common maintenance you will have to do is to replace dead batteries. You will want to replace dead batteries immediately. Remember, in order to prolong the battery life you will want turn off your hearing aids when you’re not using them.
A plastic stethoscope is a great tool to make sure your hearing aid is functioning correctly. Use the stethoscope to listen to the output of the hearing aid while you adjust it. You will want to test your hearing aid’s response to different volumes and sounds and to check for the presence of static and that the hearing aid is not cutting in and out.
The only part of a hearing aid that should be washed is the ear mold piece of a behind the ear hearing aid. You can gently wash it with a mild detergent. A forced air blower can be used to dry the ear mold more quickly.
If you are having any problems with your hearing aid, take it back to the dispenser or audiologist. A badly functioning hearing aid will cause you discomfort, and decrease the benefit you could have received from it.