How to Get the Most from Your Hearing Aids: 5 Expert Tips

Making hearing aids part of your daily routine is one of the best ways to enjoy clearer hearing and greater confidence. Whether you’re new to wearing hearing aids or have been using them for years, following a few simple habits can help improve performance, extend the life of your devices, and ensure you get the maximum benefit every day.

Here are our top tips for making the most of your hearing devices.

1. Wear Your Hearing Aids Every Day

One of the most common mistakes people make is only wearing their hearing aids when they leave the house or while watching television. To get the full benefit, it’s important to wear them throughout the day.

Your brain needs time to adapt to hearing sounds more clearly. The more consistently you wear your hearing devices, the quicker they will feel comfortable and the more natural everyday listening will become. Regular use also helps improve speech understanding, making conversations easier in a variety of environments.

During your routine six-month hearing check-up, your hearing care professional can often see how many hours per day the hearing aids have been worn. Consistent daily use allows them to assess how well you’re adapting and whether any adjustments are needed.

It’s important to keep up with your 6 monthly hearing check ups.

A simple routine can make all the difference. Try putting your aids in as soon as you wake up and wearing them until bedtime whenever possible.

2. Store Your Hearing Aids in the Same Place

Keeping your aids in a designated place helps protect them from damage and makes them much less likely to be misplaced.

A bedside table is often the ideal location. If your hearing devices came with a protective case, use it every night. Rechargeable hearing aids should always be placed in their charging case when not in use. If you don’t have a case, store them safely in a drawer rather than leaving them loose on a surface.

A hearing aid charging case.

It’s equally important to remove them before bathing, showering or swimming, as moisture can damage the delicate electronic components.

If you have pets, take extra care. Hearing aids often carry your scent, making them surprisingly attractive to curious dogs and cats. Storing them securely helps prevent accidental damage.

3. Clean Your Hearing Aids Daily

Regular hearing aid cleaning is essential for maintaining sound quality and extending the lifespan of your devices.

Start by giving the hearing aids a quick visual inspection each day. This will help you identify any wax, dirt or debris that needs removing.

Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the outside of the hearing aids. Never use water or cleaning products, and never immerse your hearing aids in water, as this can permanently damage them.

Next, use the small cleaning brush or tools supplied with your hearing aids to carefully remove any wax build-up. Keeping microphones and receivers free from debris helps ensure the best possible sound quality.

An example of a hearing aid cleaning kit.

After cleaning, check whether your wax guards and domes (where applicable) need replacing. Changing these approximately once a month, or sooner if they become blocked, helps maintain clear sound and reliable performance.

4. Keep Spare Hearing Aid Batteries

If you use disposable batteries, it’s always worth keeping a spare pack at home or in your bag. Running out unexpectedly can leave you without hearing support when you need it most.

Hearing aid batteries are available in four standard sizes:

• Size 10 – Yellow
• Size 312 – Brown
• Size 13 – Orange
• Size 675 – Blue

Size 10 hearing aid batteries.

Many people find it easier to remember the battery colour rather than the number, making it simple to buy the correct replacement.

If you wear rechargeable hearing aids, remember to charge them every night so they’re ready for the day ahead.

5. Attend Your Regular Hearing Check-Ups

Routine hearing appointments are just as important as wearing and maintaining hearing aids.

Your hearing care professional can clean them, carry out performance checks, update the programming if your hearing has changed, and answer any questions you may have. Regular reviews ensure your hearing devices continue to perform at their very best.

If you ever notice changes in sound quality, discomfort or difficulty hearing, don’t wait until your next appointment, contact your hearing care provider for advice.

Make Hearing Aids Part of Your Daily Routine

Adjusting to hearing aids can take time, but building a consistent daily routine makes the process much easier. Wearing them every day, cleaning them regularly, storing them safely and attending routine hearing checks will help you enjoy better hearing and get the maximum benefit from your investment.

If you have any questions about caring for hearing devices, our friendly hearing care team is always happy to help. Get in touch today to arrange an appointment or speak with one of our hearing care professionals.