It’s essential to ensure that you’re taking care of your hearing aids, given the difference that they can make in your life. To that end, don’t hesitate to talk to your hearing instrument specialist any time you have questions about how to care for them. Here are some great questions to ask your hearing specialist about hearing aid care & maintenance.

What is the listening test?

The listening test is a test performed, usually in the morning, to ensure your device is working fine. With a listening tube, you can make sure you don’t hear any feedback, any whistling sounds, or any breaks in the sounds from the hearing aids. If you do, then you might want to take it to your hearing instrument specialist for a closer look.

How do you clean your hearing aids?

You should clean your hearing aids every day, typically at the end of the evening. For in-the-ear (ITE) devices, you should use a specialized cleaning brush or wax hook to remove any wax or dirt and debris, then wipe it with a dry cloth. With behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, you can clean them off with a brush then wipe them with a cloth. Any earmolds you use should be soaked in warm, soapy water and then air-dried.

Why do you dry your hearing aids?

If moisture is allowed to get into your hearing aids, it can affect the electronics, causing them to malfunction. As such, you should avoid moisture, making sure that you don’t take it to the bathroom if you’re bathing, showering, washing your hair, or washing your face. You can make sure it’s kept as dry as possible by keeping your hearing aids in a container with dehumidifying properties. Some hearing aids come with these containers, but your hearing instrument specialist can help you find one if not.

How do you care for your batteries?

You can buy a battery tester to make sure that your batteries are working fine. Batteries should last between one and two weeks, so it’s always a good idea to keep spares. You shouldn’t take the tabs off of your batteries until it’s time to use them. Make sure to take your batteries out of the hearing aid at night and keep them in a cool, dry place. You should also clean your battery storage area with a dry brush every evening.

What is feedback?

Feedback is an unpleasant, high-pitched sound that you might hear if the microphone is too close to the receiver. For BTE devices, you might be able to move the microphone to reduce feedback. However, usually, if your device is giving off feedback, there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. You can also turn down the volume to reduce the feedback until it is solved.

Your hearing instrument specialist has plenty of experience helping to diagnose and fix a range of issues that can affect hearing aids. If you think there might be any malfunctions, get in touch and see what they can do for you.