As you begin your journey with hearing aids, there is a lot to learn. Your Albany Hearing Healthcare Team is here to help you adjust to your new technology—here are a few tips to get you started.
Dos for Successful Hearing Aid Use
Brush Your Hearing Aids Daily
Every morning before putting on your hearing aids, take a moment to brush them, focusing on the microphones and the tip that goes into your ear canal. We recommend that you hold the device upside down when you’re brushing and brush up into the area of focus. This practice helps remove any debris or wax buildup, ensuring optimal performance, and allows it to fall out rather than being pushed in deeper.
By waiting until the morning, anything that didn’t come off the hearing aids the night before will have had a chance to dry and will flake off more easily. Don’t brush wet wax—it just smears around and creates a plug, which is ultimately harder to clean and manage. While most hearing aid manufacturers provide a small brush for cleaning, a child’s toothbrush works just fine!
Wipe Your Hearing Aids Every Evening
At the end of the day, make it a habit to wipe your hearing aids. You can use a microfiber cleaning cloth, tissue or paper towel, or cotton rag. Any dry cloth will do, and you should avoid water or alcohol, which can damage the device. Consistently cleaning your hearing aids will extend their lifespan and maintain their effectiveness. Patients who clean their hearing aids daily, as recommended, are more familiar with what their hearing aids should look like and how they are operating, often identifying problems earlier and reducing any delays in repairs or adjustments.
Don’ts to Avoid Potential Issues
Avoid Storing Hearing Aids in the Bathroom
While hearing aids are water-resistant, they are not truly waterproof. Even if your devices are advertised as waterproof, we don’t want to add unnecessary exposure to increased humidity and moisture. The bathroom’s humidity can damage the device, so it’s best to store them in a dry place. Moisture can lead to malfunctions and reduce the lifespan of your hearing aids.
Keep Hearing Aid Batteries Out of Reach
Hearing aid button batteries are poisonous and should never be ingested. If they are accidentally swallowed, contact the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333 immediately. Always handle batteries with care and store them safely out of children’s reach. Hearing aid batteries, like all batteries, should be recycled. You can reach out to your county or waste management provider for more information.
Remove Hearing Aids for Medical Imaging
For medical imaging procedures like MRI or CT scans, remove your hearing aids and do not give them to anyone you would not give your wallet to. You can wear your hearing aids through metal detectors at airports, museums, courthouses and the like without issues.
Protect Hearing Aids from Sprays and Lotions
Before using any sprays or lotions, such as sunscreen or hairspray, ensure that you aren’t wearing your hearing aids and that your hands are clean before putting them back on. These substances can clog the microphone covers, creating a film that prevents sound from entering the device. If you believe your microphones have been sprayed with something, brush more aggressively the following morning—you may see debris flaking off.
Keep Hearing Aids Away from Pets
Cats and dogs are often attracted to hearing aids. Cats like to play with them, and dogs may chew on them. When you’re not using them, keep your hearing aids safe and out of reach. Rechargeable hearing aids should be on the charger if they are not in use, and battery-operated hearing aids should be in a case with the battery door open. If you are away from your charger, turn them off and place them in a carrying case.
Managing Your Hearing Aids
- Turning hearing aids off. Most hearing aids have a button. If your hearing aid is rechargeable and has a button, press and hold the button for about three to five seconds. If your hearing aid has lights, typically located above the button, you will likely see the light change when this occurs. If your hearing aid does not have lights, try turning it off while the hearing aid is on your ear to listen for the device shutting down. This feature helps conserve battery life and ensures the device is not unnecessarily active.
- Turning hearing aids on. Typically, this is done in the same fashion as turning the devices off. If your hearing aids have lights, look for the light to change, indicating that it is back on. If you do not have lights on your devices or cannot see the light, press and hold the button while it is on your ear so that you can hear your startup tones. Doing this will reactivate the device, allowing you to enjoy improved hearing once again.
Navigating the world of hearing aids can be a bit overwhelming initially, but with some practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the use of your new devices. These tips will help ensure that your hearing aids function properly and provide the highest quality of life through improved hearing.
Last but not least … wear your hearing aids as much as possible! Remember, hearing aids only help you if you use them. Some patients choose to only wear their hearing aids when they think they need them. That can lead to not getting used to them—especially in the beginning when you are acclimating to the sound—or even forgetting and leaving them behind. It’s okay to take breaks throughout the day or work up to a full day, but eight hours a day is a good minimum. Make them a part of your daily routine, and you’ll get the full benefit of better hearing—and a fuller life!
If you have any questions or concerns about your hearing aids, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Hearing Healthcare Team at (518) 701-2087 (ALBANY) or (518) 701-2049 (CLIFTON PARK). We’re here to support you every step of the way!