Caring for Your Hearing Aid: Essential Maintenance Tips

Why Hearing Aid Maintenance Matters

A hearing aid is a sophisticated electronic device that sits in one of the most challenging environments imaginable: your ear canal. It's exposed daily to moisture, earwax, temperature changes, and physical handling. With proper care, a quality hearing aid can last five years or more. Neglect it, and you may find yourself replacing it far sooner - or dealing with degraded sound quality that undermines everything you've invested.

The good news is that a solid maintenance routine takes only a few minutes per day. Here's what you need to know.

Daily Cleaning: The Non-Negotiables

Wipe Down After Every Use

At the end of each day - before putting your device away - use a soft, dry cloth or the cleaning brush that came with your hearing aid to gently wipe the exterior surfaces. Remove any visible earwax or debris from the speaker opening, microphone ports, and vent holes.

Use the Right Tools

Most hearing aids come with a small cleaning kit that includes a brush and a wax pick or loop. Use these tools rather than improvising with cotton swabs or sharp objects, which can push debris deeper into the device or damage delicate components.

Never Use Liquid Cleaners Directly on the Device

Unless your hearing aid is rated as waterproof, avoid spraying any liquid directly on it. If you need to dampen a cleaning cloth, wring it out thoroughly first. Moisture is one of the leading causes of hearing aid damage.

Moisture Management

Open the Battery Door at Night

If your device uses disposable batteries, leave the battery door open when you're not wearing it. This allows any accumulated moisture to evaporate and also conserves battery life by cutting power when the device isn't in use.

Use a Hearing Aid Dehumidifier

A desiccant dryer or electronic dehumidifier is an inexpensive investment that can significantly extend your device's lifespan. Simply place your hearing aid in the dehumidifier overnight to draw out any moisture that accumulated during the day.

Avoid Water Exposure

Remove your hearing aids before showering, swimming, or engaging in activities that produce heavy perspiration. Even devices rated for moisture resistance aren't designed for full submersion.

Wax Guard Maintenance

Most in-the-ear and receiver-in-canal hearing aids include a small wax guard (also called a wax filter or wax trap) at the end of the speaker that sits in the ear canal. This guard catches earwax before it can enter and damage the speaker.

Wax guards need to be replaced regularly - typically every one to three months depending on how much earwax your body produces. Signs that a wax guard needs replacing include muffled sound or reduced volume. Replacement guards are inexpensive and easy to swap using the included tool.

Battery Care

Disposable Batteries

• Store batteries at room temperature - extreme cold or heat degrades performance
• Remove the plastic tab from a new zinc-air battery and wait 1-2 minutes before inserting it (this activates the battery)
• Remove batteries entirely if the device won't be used for a week or more

Rechargeable Batteries

• Charge every night, even if the battery isn't fully depleted
• Avoid charging in extreme temperatures
• If battery life begins to shorten significantly after a year or two of use, the internal battery may need professional replacement

Proper Storage

When not in use, store your hearing aids in their case or charging cradle - away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and humidity. Keep them out of reach of children and pets (dogs in particular seem to find hearing aids irresistible).

When to Seek Professional Service

Even with diligent home maintenance, hearing aids occasionally need professional attention. Contact your device's customer service or an audiologist if you notice:

• Persistent sound distortion after cleaning
• Physical damage to the casing or tubing
• A device that won't turn on despite a charged or fresh battery
• Feedback (whistling) that cleaning doesn't resolve

For HearingAssist products, our customer support team is available to help troubleshoot and guide you through next steps. Contact us here.