Maximize the Benefits of Hearing Aids

Follow these Guidelines to Maximize the Benefits You Receive from your Hearing Aids

Your hearing aids may be the most technologically advanced devices you own, but technology alone cannot guarantee long-term satisfaction.  To maximize the benefits you receive from wearing hearing aids, it is important to follow these hearing health and maintenance guidelines.

Maintaining Your Hearing Health

1.     We recommend you have an audiogram every two years. By comparing the results of a new audiogram with an older one, we can determine if your hearing loss has worsened.  If it has, your hearing aids can be reprogrammed to compensate for the additional loss.

2.     Wear your hearing aids daily to allow your brain time to relearn sounds you may have been missing.

3.     Do not miss a regularly-scheduled check up.  We need your consistent feedback to keep your hearing aids performing as they should, as well as the opportunity to clean them or to replace plastic tubing.

4.     Do not wear someone else’s hearing aids.  They have not been programmed for your listening lifestyle.

Taking Care of Your Hearing Devices

1.     Clean your earmolds daily with an audiowipe (an FDA approved antimicrobial cleaning wipe) to remove any buildup of earwax.

2.     Hearing aids should not be submerged in water so be sure to remove them before taking a shower or going swimming.

3.     Do not expose your hearing aids to hair spray.

4.     Do not expose your hearing aids to radiation from x-rays, so remove them when going through security at the airport or while at the dentist office.

5.     Do not try to repair your own hearing aid.

6.     Do not use alcohol or cleaning fluid on any parts.

7.     Regularly check the plastic tubing on your hearing aid. Remove debris per the instructions provided by your Audiologist.

Battery Care

1.     Replace batteries routinely. Battery life is determined by the type of hearing aid and how long it is worn each day.  The average battery life is 7-10 days.

2.     Memorize the battery size your hearing aid requires.  It is also helpful to know the tab color of the package your batteries come in, as battery sizes are color-coded across all brands. A #10 battery can be identified by a yellow tab; a #13 battery by an orange tab; a #312 by a brown tab; a #675 by a blue tab and a #5 by a red tab.

3.     Extend battery life by turning off your hearing aids at bedtime.  Keep the battery compartment door open to allow any moisture that has accumulated inside to evaporate.

4.     Store batteries at room temperature.

5.     Do not carry loose batteries in your pocket or purse. Contact with metal objects like coins or keys can short-circuit the battery.

6.     When newly purchased, hearing aid batteries are sealed with a tab to ensure freshness.  Do not remove this tab until you are ready to use the battery.  Once the tab is removed, allow the battery to charge for 30-60 seconds prior to placing it into the hearing aid.