Caring for your hearing aid(s)
Patient Information
Audiology Services, Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals
Caring for your hearing aid regularly will help it
work better and last longer.
Please read the instruction manual that came
with your hearing aid. If you do not have an
instruction manual we can arrange to get one for
you.
Cleaning
Clean your hearing aid every day. Use a soft
cloth, tissue or special hearing aid brush to wipe
the outside of your hearing aid. Never use
alcohol, cleaners or hairspray on your hearing aid
as they can damage your hearing aids shell.
Use a dehumidifier kit regularly to help stop
moisture getting into your hearing aid and
damaging the workings.
Clean out any earwax or other debris using a wax
loop or brush. Do not use a straight pin or other
sharp object to clean wax out of your hearing aid.
Clean the volume control switch and microphone
cover to remove any debris using your hearing
aid brush.
The BTE earmould will need to be replaced when
they become dry, cracked, stiff or discoloured.
When you need to change the battery or clean
your hearing aid, place your hearing aid on a soft
towel or pad on a well-lit tabletop. This will reduce
the risk of you dropping your hearing aid or the
battery.
Your hearing aid must not get wet. Do not put in
or take out your hearing aids in the bathroom.
Take off your hearing aid off when you have a
shower or go swimming,
Do not leave your hearing aid where it can be
found by small children or pets. Small children can
drop the hearing aid or swallow the battery. Dogs
like the high-pitched sound a hearing aid makes
and may destroy it.
You may wish to ask your audiologist about
buying hearing aid insurance cover for any
damage or loss of your hearing aid.
Batteries
Batteries last for 5 days to a couple of weeks
depending on the battery size and how often you
use your hearing aid. Some batteries stop
suddenly, others run down slowly. Replace any
‘dead’ batteries immediately.
Storing your hearing aid
Keep a small supply of the correct size good
quality batteries for your hearing aid. Store your
batteries in a cool, dry place safely away from
children and pets. Always dispose of old batteries
carefully. Never put a battery in your mouth. If a
battery is swallowed or inhaled you will need to
see a doctor immediately as they can cause
serious injury.
When your hearing aid is not being used put it in
a cool dry place with the hearing aid battery door
open.
Don’t force the batteries into your hearing aid.
Your audiologist will show you how to put the
batteries in correctly.
Keep your hearing aid away from heat e.g.
hairdryers, car glove box or car dashboard.
Increasing the life of the battery
If you have a ‘behind the ear’ hearing aid you will
need to check for condensation in the earmould
tubing and remove it. You can buy an earmould
air blower from your audiologist to do this.
Caring for your hearing aid(s)
You will need to be careful with your hearing aid.
Try not to drop it or bang it on a hard surface.
Open the battery tray of your hearing aid at night.
Always turn your hearing aid off when you are not
using them. Take the battery out if you are not
going to use your hearing aid for a long time.
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Keep the battery contacts in your hearing aid
clean.
Some batteries lose power as they get older.
They will also lose power after the protective seal
has been removed even if you are not using them
in your hearing aid.
Controlling ear wax
Earwax can block your hearing aid and interfere
with sound transmission. If the wax gets inside
your hearing aid it can cause damage which is
expensive to repair.
Contact details
Wellington Hospital Audiology department
Monday – Friday 8am - 4.30pm
(Excluding public holidays)
Phone (04) 385 5999 Ext 5132
Kenepuru Hospital Audiology department
Monday – Friday 8am - 4.30pm
(Excluding public holidays)
Phone (04) 385 5999 Ext 2817
Your audiologist will show you how to clean
earwax out and may suggest a wax guard to help
prevent wax build up.
If you produce large amounts of earwax you may
need to see your own family doctor (GP) to have
it removed.
AUD PIB-04 Vn 2 CapitalDocs ID 1.101916 Issued May 2014 Review May 2017
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