A quick guide on proper hearing aid care and maintenance
Hearing aids are electronic devices and will require regular maintenance and care to work properly. You can prolong the lifespan of your hearing aids and avoid repeated repairs if you clean and store them well.
Tips on how to carry out daily maintenance for your hearing aids
Wear and remove your hearing aids the proper wayWhen you wear and remove your hearing aids properly, it helps to reduce the stress of wear and tear on the hearing aid parts and ensure more years of reliable hearing. The type of hearing aids you have will determine how you wear and remove it:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids:
To wear, hold on to the ear mould and make sure the sound outlet is pointing towards the ear canal. Push the ear mould into your ear canal and make sure it fits properly. Next, hang the hearing aid body behind the ear.
To remove, take out the ear mould by pulling on the removal string, before removing the hearing aid from your ear. If there is no removal string, hold on to the edges of the ear mould and gently rotate it forward as you remove it.
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC) or Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids
To wear, place the hearing aid body behind the ear. Next, push the dome or ear mould that is attached to the hearing aid speaker into the ear canal.
Remove the speaker from your ear by pulling on the speaker wire close to the dome. Pull on the removal string if you are using an ear mould. Finally, take the hearing aid off from behind your ear.
- Custom hearing aids
To wear, hold on to the hearing aid and make sure the sound outlet is pointing towards the ear canal. Push the hearing aid into your ear canal and make sure it fits properly.
Remove the hearing aid by pulling on the removal string. If there is no removal string, hold on to the edges of the hearing aid, and gently rotate it forward as you pull it out from your ear canal.
Keep your hearing aids cleanWipe your hearing aids clean with a dry cloth or tissue at the end of the day. This can help prevent excessive moisture or earwax build-up. You may also use the cleaning tools that came together with your hearing aids purchase. Do check with your audiologist on the suitability of these tools as well as how to use them.
Care for non-rechargeable hearing aids
Turn off the hearing aids (open the battery door) and place them in a drying container or electronic dehumidifier at the end of the day. Removing the battery from your hearing aids will prevent battery leakage which may damage your hearing aids.
Care for rechargeable hearing aidsYou are encouraged to charge your hearing aids every day to maintain their battery health. Place your hearing aids into the charger after they are wiped clean. The hearing aids will switch off when charging and turn on automatically when you remove them from the charger. You may also manually turn off your hearing aids with the buttons on the device. Do check with your audiologist on how to manually switch them off.
Dehumidifying processDehumidifying your hearing aids is important as it removes unwanted moisture that could cause damage to your hearing aids. It also helps ensure they work their best and extends their lifespan. There are different ways to dehumidify your hearing aids, so do follow the dehumidification process recommended by your audiologist.
Proper hearing aid storage Store your hearing aids well by placing them in the charger, electronic dehumidifier or drying container at the end of the day. They will then be ready for use the next day. If you need to remove them when outdoors, you may place them in the hearing aid case provided to you. Avoid keeping your hearing aids directly in your pockets or handbags as you may accidentally drop them or lose them.
Troubleshooting
There may be times when your hearing aids do not seem to perform as they should. You could try troubleshooting the issue on your own, which may save you a trip to the clinic. Here are some common problems you may face, as well as some tips on how to resolve them.
| Issue | Possible Reasons
| Possible Solutions
|
|---|
|
There is no sound from my hearing aids | Battery is flat.
Hearing aid sound outlet is blocked by earwax. | Change your hearing aids or change to a new battery.
Change the hearing aid domes or wax filter, or clean the sound outlet.
|
Hearing aids sound soft
| Battery life is depleting.
Phone volume may be too soft or turned off.
Hearing aid sound outlet is blocked by earwax.
| Change your hearing aids or change to a new battery.
Make sure that the phone volume is turned on and adjusted to a comfortable level.
Change the hearing aids dome or wax filter, or clean the sound outlet. |
Rechargeable hearing aids are not charging
| Hearing aid charger is not turned on.
Hearing aids are not placed properly in the charger.
| Make sure electricity for the charger is turned on and the cable is properly connected to the plug and charger.
Make sure the hearing aids are placed properly in the charging slot and check the indicator light signals. |
Connectivity issues of hearing aids with mobile phone
| App is not up-to-date.
Hearing aids are not properly connected to the phone because there are other interfering Bluetooth devices. | Make sure your app and phone software are running the most updated versions.
Make sure all other Bluetooth devices are not connected to the hearing aids. Turn off and on the hearing aids before reconnecting. You may also try turning the Bluetooth on your phone off and on.
|
Do contact your audiologist if the issue persists after troubleshooting.
Frequently asked questions
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In what situations should I not wear my hearing aids?
You shouldn't be wearing your hearing aids when you are showering, sleeping, or swimming.
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What should I do if it rains?
You may choose to remove and store your hearing aids in a hearing aid case if you are caught in the rain. Otherwise, you may wipe away the moisture from your hearing aids before putting them back on. Do continue to carry out your daily maintenance at the end of the day.
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I need to wear face mask and hearing aids (BTE or RIC/RITE). How do I manage?
You may first wear your hearing aids, followed by your face mask. Make sure that the straps of your face mask are placed towards the outside of your hearing aids. This minimises your hearing aids from getting caught by the mask straps or falling off the ear when your mask is removed.
Article contributed by Audiology, Allied Health Services
