Whether you wear in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear hearing aids, you must clean them regularly. This will help ensure they work properly and are less likely to develop issues in the future.
The most common cause of hearing aid failure is a wax buildup in the receiver. Daily cleaning should remove most of this buildup.
Clean Your Ears
Your ears naturally produce wax to protect them from dirt and dust. But if you’re not careful, it can cause earwax impaction.
Earwax builds up and becomes trapped in the ear canal, causing irritation and other problems. It can also block your hearing aids’ microphone ports and other openings, making them less effective at acoustic feedback.
To keep your hearing aids functioning properly, it’s important to clean them regularly. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or brush provided by your hearing healthcare professional to clear away built-up wax.
For areas that are more difficult to reach, use a special brush or wax pick designed specifically for cleaning hearing aids. You can also purchase an earwax removal kit that contains these tools. Using these will ensure your hearing aids stay in good condition and won’t need to be repaired.
Turn Off Your Hearing Aids
If you want to prolong the life of your hearing aids, you need to turn them off when they’re not being used. Many hearing instrument specialists will tell you that this is the best way to preserve battery power and increase lifespan.
It’s also essential to always handle your hearing aids with clean hands. Even tiny bits of dirt or greasy hands can cause problems for your hearing aids and shorten their lifespan.
Your hearing aids, like the Phonak hearing aid solutions should be stored in a dry place when not in use. You can do this by using a drying box or pouch to help them stay clean and dry.
Change Your Batteries
Changing your hearing aid batteries is essential to maintain your hearing solution properly. They can become corroded by moisture or heat, so keeping them fresh and dry is important.
Most hearing care professionals recommend changing your hearing aid batteries once per week. That way, you can be sure your hearing devices are always running smoothly.
The key is using the right type of battery for your specific technology, so consult with your hearing care professional.
Then, follow your manufacturer’s instructions on how to change your batteries. Be sure to insert the new battery with the positive side facing upwards. If you don’t, the compartment won’t close properly.
Replace Your Wax Guard Filters
Hearing aids require regular maintenance to stay in tip-top shape and function properly. One important part of that maintenance is replacing your wax guard filters.
Fortunately, the process is fairly simple. All you need is a replacement wax guard and a special tool designed to do the job.
How often you need to change your wax guards varies from person to person, depending on how quickly your ears produce earwax and how much you wear your hearing aids. As a general rule, you should change your wax guards every month.
Your wax guard is located inside the speaker of your hearing aids, and it keeps dirt and earwax from getting into the microphone and receiver. Excessive earwax buildup in these areas is a major cause of hearing aid malfunction.
Replace Your Tubing
Your hearing aid tubing is crucial in transmitting sound from the microphone into your ear canal. Over time, these tubes become worn and need replacement to ensure you get the best possible audio experience.
Your audiologist or hearing care professional will likely recommend replacing your tubing to maintain optimal hearing. They can also provide you with a spare kit to do it at home.
A quick and easy way to do this is by replacing your earmold tubing with new tubing that fits your audiologist’s recommendation. To do this, cut a piece of tapered tubing the same length as your earmold tubing and thread it into the earmold until it’s close to the end.
Similarly, it would help if you replaced the wax guard filters in your devices. This helps to keep wax from clogging your ears and causing a malfunction.
Schedule Regular Checkups
To ensure that your hearing aids work well and last for their expected lifetime, it is important to schedule regular checkups. These appointments can help identify potential problems before they become serious and provide better outcomes for you and your family.
During these visits, your doctor will review your health history and evaluate your current physical condition. They may also perform screening tests to identify conditions needing treatment or assess your risk of developing certain diseases.
In addition, you should also regularly change the wax filter on your hearing aid to prevent earwax from building up. This can cause your hearing aid to malfunction or even damage the device.
