Dos and Don’ts of Hearing Aid Care

Hearing aids are usually a significant investment and support your ability to communicate and connect with those around you. It's important to take good care of your hearing aids. Follow these simple tips, and they should provide life-changing benefits for years to come.

Do:

• Wear your hearing aids during all waking hours, every day! If you are a new user, you might need time to adjust more gradually, starting with three to five hours per day and increasing the duration for the first few weeks, adding on an hour or two each day.
• Store your hearing aids overnight in a hearing aid dehumidifier case. Turn them off and open the battery compartment unless the devices come with a charging box. Make sure to store your hearing aids away from sunlight and heating vents.
• Clean wax and debris from your hearing aids daily. To do this, follow the instructions for cleaning in your hearing aid manual. If they are exposed to humidity or perspiration, dry the battery contacts gently with a cotton swab. Never attempt to dry them with a hairdryer or microwave!
• Check to make sure your aids are working correctly when you first put them in each day. Some models play a little tune when you turn them on; others don't. To check your, rub your hands together by each ear. If they're working, you should be able to hear the rubbing sound.
• Protect your hearing aids from hair spray and other hair products, perfumes, oils, perspiration, and all other forms of moisture.
• Keep your hearing devices away from small children and pets. Hearing aid batteries are very dangerous if swallowed and can result in death in serious cases.

Don't:

• Let your hearing aids get wet. Never store them in the bathroom when you take a bath or shower, and do not wear them while swimming or getting spa and salon treatments. Moisture from the steam can damage your hearing aids.
• Wear your hearing aids while using a hairdryer. Don't leave your hearing aids in your car, in a sunny window, near a stove or radiator, or any other place where there'll be exposed to heat.
• Spray hairspray or perfumes while wearing your hearing aids. This could cause damage to the microphone.
• Sleep with your hearing aids in. Always take them out before bed, and put them in their case for overnight storage and recharge if they're rechargeable. If not, open the battery compartment.
• Store your aids for any extended time with the batteries left inside. The batteries can leak and corrode the device.
• Store your batteries or hearing aids where small children or pets cannot reach them. Swallowing a battery is a serious medical emergency, and many children and pets die each year from eating batteries.
• Allow anyone else to use your hearing aids.