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Hearing Aid Care
Take care of your hearing aid and it’ll take care of you! Cleaning your hearing aid and taking it for a regular service is extremely important. We offer FREE walk in checks for all hearing aids to help you get the best out of your devices. But also there are some important things you can do to keep your hearing aid working well.
Your hearing aid is placed in an environment that is moist and warm with relative humidity between 40 – 70 percent. It’s also at a constant temperature of 36 degrees celsius. Ear wax (which is a combination of salt and corrosive body acid) can accumulate in the ears or on the hearing device. It’s vital to maintain the quality of your device so it helps you hear better for longer…
Cleaning Your Hearing Aid
Remove Earwax
Remove any ear wax from your device to prevent it stopping temporarily or permanent damage. Most hearing aids have a small filter which helps catch any wax before it can get into the aid. The wax filters are easily replaced by using the small sticks that come with your hearing aid package. Simply insert the pointy end into the old filter and pull gently. Then swivel the stick to push in the new filter and voila…all is well. If you are having any trouble or need extra filters, simply pop into the clinic for us to help.
Cleaning
Avoid using water or household cleaner. Using these can break down the hearing aid material. Instead use a clean, dry cloth or an alcohol wipe. If wax is still visible, use the brush or pick tool in your kit to remove it.
Hearing Aid Dryers
especially in summer or humid conditions, sweat and water can get into the hearing aid microphones. You know this has happened when your hearing aid is intermittent and randomly plays the startup melody. You can double check by checking the battery compartment to see if there is any rust or corrosion there. Using a Hearing Aid Dehumidifier which are available at Hearing Sense, can dry out and sterilise your hearing aid overnight electronically.
Take Care
As with most things (except a bouncy ball) dropping your hearing aid on a hard service can cause damage. While you’re getting used to placing and removing your hearing aid we recommend getting into a seating position with a pillow on your lap in case it accidentally falls.
Batteries
All hearing aids have batteries – (some are rechargeable)– and they vary in size depending on the device. Make sure it is placed with the + symbol on the flat side facing upwards. If the battery door is stuck, avoid pulling it, simply pop in to see us for help.
Proper Storage
We recommend finding a good place to store your hearing aid when it is not in use. Either use the container provided with your hearing aids or place them somewhere safe, preferably away from little hands or pets. Avoid keeping them in the bathroom as steam can cause moisture damage.
When not to where your aid
Remove your hearing aid in the shower, sauna, for swimming, when you’re using a hair dryer or if you are applying harmful or chemical products to your hair.
We found this helpful guide from Starkey, one of our popular hearing aid brands and thought we would share.
Starkey Hearing Technologies Troubleshooting Tips
HEARING AID IS “DEAD”
POSSIBLE CAUSE
- Depleted battery or “dead” battery.
- Wax or debris in microphone, receiver, earmould or dome.
SOLUTION
- Replace the battery.
- Clean the microphone and receiver with a brush or change the wax filter.
HEARING AID ISN’T LOUD ENOUGH
POSSIBLE CAUSE
- Wax or debris in microphone, receiver, earmould or dome.
- Your hearing has changed.
SOLUTION
- Clean the microphone with a brush or change the wax filter.
- See Kelly and Pavel for a hearing check.
SOUND IS INCONSISTENT OR INTERMITTENT
POSSIBLE CAUSE
- Low battery.
- Moisture has got into the aid.
- Faulty speaker wire.
SOLUTION
- Replace the battery.
- Dry hearing aid and battery compartment with a tissue. If you have a Dehumidifier, use it overnight. If it is still playing up, come and see us at the clinic.
- Simply come in anytime for us to replace the thin speaker wire for your behind-the-ear hearing aid.
THE SOUND IS DISTORTED OR UNCLEAR
POSSIBLE CAUSE
- Low battery.
- Something is faulty – either the microphone or receiver.
SOLUTION
- Replace the battery.
- Pop in for us to have a look.
HEARING AID IS WHISTLING
POSSIBLE CAUSE
- Hearing aid programming.
- Hearing aid is not inserted properly.
- Wax in your ear canal.
SOLUTION
- Book in to see us to calibrate the feedback controller which should eliminate whistling automatically.
- Double check you have the aid completely inserted into the canal. You may need a slightly bigger tip, new mould or a coating added to provide a better seal. Simply make a time to see us and we can sort this out in a jiffy.
- If the sound is bouncing off the wax in your ear, it causes feedback or whistling. See your GP for wax removal as soon as you can.
You hearing aids are an investment – not only do they help you hear better but they help you to enjoy all the little sounds around you that make life special! That’s why it’s so important to make sure they are looked after. If you are concerned about the care of your hearing aid, get in touch with us and we are more than happy to help you. Just call us on 8331 8047!
*Starkey Hearing Technologies
**Starkey Hearing Technologies
