Once you’ve found hearing aids that work well for you, you want to make sure they last as long as possible. One of the best ways to do that is to practice proper maintenance techniques.
Let’s take a look at some of the best things you can do to keep your hearing aid performing at its highest level.
Do These Every Day 
- Develop a nightly cleaning routine. Wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth every night when you take them out. Your device comes into contact with a lot of debris, moisture and earwax on a regular basis. Left to build up, it can cause damage. You can even get hearing aid cleaning kits that come with tools like a wax removal brush and pick.
- Check your earmold opening for wax or other debris every morning. Buildup can muffle the microphone and make it hard to hear.
- Store your device safely. Drying boxes are an excellent storage option because they remove excess moisture from your hearing aids as you sleep. Some even use UV light to remove bacteria as well. If a drying box is not an option, just make sure they are kept in a cool, dry place where you won’t forget them.
- Protect your battery. Opening the battery compartment after you take your hearing aids out at night is another way to prevent moisture buildup. It can also help extend battery life. Taking the battery out and storing it in a sealed tube has been shown to increase battery life as well.
Annual Checkups are Essential
When your car needs a tune-up, you take it to PDX Automotive. The same should hold true for your hearing device. It’s a good rule of thumb to visit your hearing expert every six months to a year. They can make sure everything is working properly, give aids a thorough cleaning and perform any needed adjustments or repairs.
As Needed Hearing Aid Maintenance
These don’t need to be done every day but performing them as needed is an essential part of your maintenance plan.
- Change dead batteries right away
- Replace your earwax guards regularly
- Don’t put off needed repairs. If your device isn’t working correctly, take it in as soon as possible.
- Consider that it might be time for an upgrade. Even with the best care, your hearing aids will need to be replaced at some point. If you’ve had yours for over five years and have noticed a decline in performance, discuss your options with your audiologist.
If you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, call PDX ENT today.
