Special, regular care is required to ensure that your hearing aid functions properly. Dr. Dena will show you how to check yours for best performance. Every device is different, and some, such as the in-ear Lyric, are virtually maintenance-free. Ask the doctor how you can obtain the necessary items and information for effective maintenance.

Here are some tips:

Battery check: Batteries should last from 7 to 14 days. Using your battery tester, check that batteries are at full strength so your hearing aids work at top performance. Always keep a spare set of batteries with you. Keep them in a place that’s cool and dry. Discard the batteries one at a time. Hearing aid batteries can be toxic and present a choking hazard, so handle them carefully and dispose of them properly, especially around pets and children.

Clean regularly: Use a soft, dry cloth. Check for obvious and hidden dirt and grime. Earmolds should be removed from your hearing aids, then cleaned with a gentle soap solution. Dry them carefully — use a forced-air blower (not your hair dryer). Check to be sure they’re dry before reattaching them to your hearing aids.

Minimize moisture: For proper function, your hearing device must stay dry. A hearing aid drying container will reduce moisture from building up inside the hearing aids and will extend their life. Be sure to remove the batteries from the hearing aid before placing them in their storage containers.

Listening checks: Listen to the hearing aid every day. Using a listening tube, you can listen to the hearing aids to be sure that they sound clear and not scratchy or faint. Dr. Dena will teach you how to listen for internal feedback and intermittency.

Avoid feedback: Feedback is a whistling sound that can be heard using the hearing aid. It happens when amplified sound escapes the earmold and reenters the microphone. You won’t experience feedback if your hearing aid is securely placed in your ear. Hearing feedback could indicate that that there is too much earwax in the ear canal, or that the earmold is the wrong size and needs to be replaced.
Talk to Dr. Dena about what you should do when you experience feedback from your device. Reducing the volume of the hearing aid will minimize your feedback, but you may miss out on important sounds.

Most importantly, regular visits to Peninsula Hearing Center for hearing testing, checking performance of your hearing aid, education, and fine-tuning the device will bring you the greatest performance and best enjoyment of your hearing aids.

Contact Peninsula Hearing Center today for more information. We are your partners in good hearing health.