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How to Look After and Clean Your Hearing Aids

Name: Scrivens Opticians and Hearing
Rating: 4.6

The following tips will help you to keep your hearing aids in top condition:

Clean your hearing aids daily
Handle your hearing aids carefully
Perform all cleaning and battery changes over a cloth to prevent accidental damage or loss of the battery
Protect your hearing aids from creams, perfumes and hairspray
Remove your hearing aids before showering, bathing or swimming
Avoid exposing your hearing aids to excessive heat or cold
Be careful when placing your hearing aids on hard surfaces
Never use a sharp instrument to remove wax from your hearing aids

Even if you are only removing your hearing aids for a short time, the following advice applies:

Switch your hearing aids off when not in use
Open the battery compartment door (this prevents the battery from running down when the hearing aids are not in use)
Store your hearing aids safely in the protective box provided
Your hearing aids should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Keep your hearing aids out of the reach of small children and pets
If you are not using your hearing aids for extended periods of time, remove the batteries completely

Hearing Aid Maintenance

Regular care of your hearing aids is important and should include the following:

Cleaning the mould and tubing. Remove them in one piece, then clean in lukewarm, soapy water. Allow to dry naturally, making sure there are no drops of water left in the tube, then reattach to your hearing aid
Not allowing the tubing to become twisted
Clean the main body of the hearing aid by wiping with a soft cloth
DO NOT use solvents or cleaning fluids
Never immerse the hearing aid in water

Regular care of your hearing aids is important and should include the following:

Removing wax or other debris regularly. Our Hearing Aid Audiologist will show you the correct way to do this with the tools provided
Changing the wax filter (if fitted) if it becomes clogged, and the ear bud if it becomes hard or damaged. Our Hearing Aid Audiologist will show you the correct way to do this
Not allowing the tubing to become twisted
Clean the main body of the hearing aid by wiping with a soft cloth
DO NOT use solvents or cleaning fluids
Never immerse the hearing aid in water

Regular care of your hearing aids is important and should include the following:

Removing wax or other debris regularly. Our Hearing Aid Audiologist will show you the correct way to do this with the tools provided
Changing the wax filter (if fitted) if it becomes clogged. Our Hearing Aid Audiologist will show you the correct way to do this
Cleaning the main body of your hearing aids with a soft cloth
DO NOT use solvents, cleaning fluids, washing-up liquid or oil
Never immerse your hearing aids in water

How To Videos

To provide further information and advice on looking after your hearing aids we have linked a number of ‘How-To’ guides and videos. Please note that clicking on the links below will take you to another website.

How to put in and remove a hearing aid

How to turn a hearing aid on and off

How to test and change hearing aid batteries

How to clean a hearing aid

How to change a wax filter

How how to replace a dome

Looking After Your NHS Hearing Aids

Although the information above is applicable for virtually all types of hearing aid, we have produced some specific information for our NHS hearing aid users which can be found here:

NHS Hearing Aids: Starkey User Guide

NHS Hearing Aids: Bernafon User Guide

Hearing Aid Batteries

Please consult the manufacturer’s instruction book supplied with your hearing aids for the appropriate technique for changing batteries. If you need help or advice, please consult your Hearing Aid Audiologist or ask a member of our branch team who will be pleased to demonstrate the correct technique.

Useful Tips

The length of time a battery lasts varies according to the type of hearing aid, how often it is used, the volume selected and the quality of battery fitted
To preserve the life of batteries, open the battery door when the hearing aid is not in use
Be sure to always use the correct size battery, the colour of the battery pack denotes what size it is
Never force the door open or shut – this could damage the hearing aid. If the door will not close, check that the battery is placed correctly in the compartment
Dispose of any used batteries immediately
Only remove the protective tab immediately prior to fitting a new battery
Always keep spare batteries handy – modern batteries do not gradually fade but retain full power until they stop working. A warning beep will sound when they need replacing
Keep batteries out of the reach of children and pets
Scrivens Hearing Care batteries are recommended for the best fit and performance
Our ‘Essential Care’ and ‘Repair Care’ schemes include a regular supply of batteries sent to your home

Rechargeable Batteries

If your hearing aids are capable of using rechargeable batteries, please follow the instructions carefully. In particular, do not attempt to recharge ‘normal’ batteries.

Disposing of Batteries

All of our hearing aid zinc air batteries should be disposed of at your local disposal point and not accumulated. If you are unsure of the best way to dispose of your used batteries, contact your council who will be able to give you details of the battery disposal scheme in your area.