How to make your hearing aids last

The better you care for your hearing aids, the longer they will last. We all know that computers don’t last forever, in particular small computers such as smartphones. You need to think of your hearing aids as mini super computers – they are not going to last you forever. However, your hearing aids are designed to withstand wear and tear. They are not incredibly delicate devices and you do not need to spend excessive amounts of time worrying about causing damage to them. If you follow our top tips, you can attempt to prolong their life as long as possible.

Keep up with your appointments

To make your hearing aids last, we advise that everyone has 6 monthly check-ups. This ensures they are always in tip-top working order. If you purchase your hearing aids with us, you get 2 years’ worth of aftercare appointments included. At your appointments, your aids will be re-programmed to your current hearing loss. If you are feeling unsure about changing your wax filter and dome, make sure you ask your hearing healthcare professional to show you again during your appointment. These should be changed at least once a month (unless you have been told otherwise).

Store them safely

When you are not wearing your hearing aids, it is always best to store them in their case. It can be tempting to pop them in a pocket or a bag but they are notoriously easy to lose given their small size. They could even fall out of a pocket and be gone forever. Phonak’s new Infinio range of hearing aids have a “find my hearing aid” feature. This can be accessed via the myPhonak app in case you do misplace them. Even at night, it is best to store them in your case and not just on the bedside table. This also protects them from dust and foreign bodies while they are on the bedside table overnight.

Keep them moisture free!

Hearing aids can suffer from moisture build-ups in the summer months as we tend to sweat more. The sweat creates a condensation build up inside your hearing aids which can potentially cause damage. During the warmest months, you should always give your aids a chance to dry out each evening when you go to bed. You can even purchase a hearing aid dryer specifically for instances like this.

Getting wet

Your hearing aids are designed to deal with everyday situations such as getting caught in the rain so don’t panic too much when this happens. It would be a good idea to carry an umbrella with you when the weather is looking as though it may rain just so you can offer them the best protection possible. If you think your aids have gotten wet, the best advice we can give is to remove the batteries (if applicable) and leave the battery doors open overnight. You can also use a hearing aid dryer as mentioned above.

Keep them free of chemicals

We would suggest that hearing aids are removed before any make up is applied. This is the same for hair spray or similar spray products. There is no real reason to be overly concerned but doing this will prevent any chemicals from coming into contact with your aids.

The main thing to remember is that they are a sturdy bit of kit. You don’t need to be excessively worried about them. However, we do think it’s important to do everything you can to keep them in good condition and reduce the risk of having to upgrade them earlier than you’d like. As always, if you need any further advice, please do get in touch.