You have experienced hearing loss for a while now and have finally decided to visit an audiologist. This appointment is the first step to addressing your hearing loss and helping you communicate more clearly with your friends, family and coworkers. Maintaining hearing aids helps improve their function and can increase their longevity, making it critical you understand how to properly care for them.

Care instructions will vary based on the style of device you have, with the three most common being:

  • In the ear (ITE): ITE is a hearing aid that is worn on the outer bowl. It’s suitable for people who don’t want to be open about their hearing issues. It is customized to fit in the outer bowl, size comfortably and is easy to control.
  • Behind the ear (BTE): BTE is a hearing aid placed behind the ear, and its hooks are placed on top of your ear. It has a tube that serves as a connection between the custom earpiece and your ear canal. The custom earpiece is also known as the earmold. It is suitable for people of all ages who experience hearing disorders.
  • In the canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are being made specifically for the inner ear in the canal. They provide a more natural listening experience, are the most discreet option and offer advanced technology.

Questions to ask your audiologist

Just like any other device, hearing aids need to be handled with care. So, before you leave, ensure that you have all the information concerning your hearing aid style. The following questions can help you better care for your hearing aids:

What kind of cleaning routine should I follow?

Most hearing aids should be lightly cleaned daily to ensure no build-up is allowed to develop. This routine should include wiping off your devices with a dry cloth and examining them for any kind of physical damages or wax buildup. To help prevent moisture issues, always take out your battery at night when they’re not in use and leave the compartment open to air out.

Should they be professionally cleaned?

To extend the life of your device, having them cleaned regularly by your audiologist can help maintain their functionality. Your audiologist will perform a thorough deep clean of the device, while also examining it for any potential issues that could present down the road. This is an excellent time to talk to your audiologist about any additional care tips you can follow and ensure you are inserting, removing and storing your devices properly.

Every hearing aid is made using different components, which can make it tricky to maintain if you haven’t talked to your audiologist about varying methods. They will work with you to ensure you understand how to properly handle, clean and operate your device; providing you with a future of clear hearing.

If you have any questions regarding care and maintenance of your hearing aids, give El Paso Hearing Aid Center a call at one of the below numbers!

  • Alamogordo: (575) 446-1041
  • El Paso: (915) 301-9526
  • Las Cruces: (575) 222-7351