Do Your Hearing Aids Need Repair?

A malfunctioning hearing aid can be a frightening and anxiety-inducing experience for someone who relies on the device to hear more clearly. Malfunctioning hearing aids aren’t common, considering today’s hearing aids are built to be more durable and withstand more wear and tear Nevertheless, certain elements, such as moisture, dirt, earwax buildup and heat can wreak havoc on the devices. Simple preventive measures can help you avoid costly hearing aid repairs. 

Clean your hearing aids

First and foremost, it is important to clean your hearing aids daily. Check for dirt and grime, which can cause static or feedback. This usually happens when the hearing aids are not properly cleaned. To avoid build-up from clogging the microphone and sound ports of your hearing aids, it’s vital to clean the hearing device daily with hearing aids tools, such as a hearing aid cleaning brush, an ear hook, wax pick or wire loop or a multitool, which is a sort of “Swiss Army Knife” of hearing aid cleaning tools.

Remove excess earwax

If you find excess amounts of earwax with daily cleansing, you could use at-home earwax removal kits. These over-the-counter softening drops are put into the ears, while holding to the head to the side, and then allowed to drain out after five minutes. Sitting up will let the drops drain out naturally. To rid the ear of any excess fluid, a bulb-type syringe, usually included in the kits, may be used to gently flush the ear with warm water.

Minimize moisture

Last, minimize moisture in your hearing aids by placing them in a dehumidifier at night. A forced air blower helps keep earmolds and tubing clear from moisture, dirt and debris. To use, unhook the tubing from the earhook, insert the bulb into the tubing and squeeze. A dehumidifier is another must-have tool for hearing aids. It is an inexpensive dry container that keeps moisture from building up inside the hearing aids. Take the batteries out of the hearing aids before placing them inside the storage containers.

Keep in mind that hearing aids require professional maintenance twice a year. If your hearing devices are causing feedback or static even with daily maintenance, consider contacting your hearing healthcare professional for additional support and advice. Many hearing care professionals are able to offer basic hearing aid repairs in their office!