A Guide for Hearing Aid Cleaning and Maintenance

Grand Rapids, United States - July 17, 2023 / AVA Hearing Center /

Guide to Hearing Aid Maintenance in Grand Rapids

Hearing aids help people with poor hearing health reclaim their independence. When patients experience hearing loss in Grand Rapids, they contact AVA Hearing Center for hearing aids. Their audiologists provide hearing tests to determine their eligibility for a hearing aid and offer the following advice for maintenance.

Avoid Moisture

Moisture can severely damage a hearing aid, so avoid immersing it in water, even to clean it. Remove the hearing aid before swimming, showering, or washing your face. Excess moisture can damage the device, so try to stay cool during the summer months.

Remove When Appropriate

While many situations warrant hearing aid removal, some of the most common involve personal hygiene and maintenance. For instance, patients should always remove hearing aids before styling their hair. Hairspray and other products will clog the device, and hair dryers could cause permanent damage.

Store Safely

Patients must store their hearing aids in a place that minimizes damage. Consider the following criteria when deciding where to store the device:

• Keep it hidden: Kids and pets are notorious for finding hearing aids and treating them like a toy. To prevent the device from becoming a choking hazard or suffering damage, store it where your little ones wont find it.
• Keep it dry: Keep the device away from places that accrue moisture, such as bathrooms. For extra precaution, store it in a sealable, water-resistant container.

Ask for Help

Hearing aids contain complicated and fragile components, so beyond a regular cleaning or hearing check, never attempt to troubleshoot problems without professional assistance. The experts at AVA Hearing Center can repair and service any hearing aid and return it to working condition or help patients find a replacement.

Regular Maintenance

Most wearers can perform regular maintenance on their hearing aids. Use the following best practices to lengthen the hearing aids life:

Testing

Perform a sound check and test the batteries every morning before wearing the hearing aid to confirm it works. Consider purchasing a hearing aid listening tube to facilitate the hearing test.

Many patients find it helpful to carry extra batteries in case a hearing aid dies while theyre out and about. Batteries should last one or two weeks, depending on the type of battery, type of hearing aid, and frequency of use.

Clean

Check the cleanliness of the hearing aid at least once a day, either in the morning before equipping it or at the end of the day before bedtime. Use a dry cloth, similar to those used for glasses, to remove any accumulated dirt, grime, and dust. If it accumulates moisture from sweat or humidity, dry it with a dehumidifier and remove the batteries to air out.