Home > Hearing Aids > Care and Maintenance

Modern hearing instruments are durable, easy-to-use and reliable. Nevertheless, a few simple precautions will ensure that your instruments continue to give you many years of trouble-free service.

Basic:

1. Your hearing healthcare professional will give you specific information on cleaning your hearing instruments and may recommend a special cleaning kit.
2. Water and solvent cleaning agents can damage electronic circuitry. Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the instruments whenever they are removed from your ears.
3. Remove any accumulated cerumen daily. When using a cerumen removal tool, eg. a brush, always clean the instrument from below. This will prevent particles of wax or dirt from getting inside the instrument.
4. If the volume of your instrument diminishes, it may be due to the sound outlet or the cerumen filter being blocked with cerumen (earwax). Either replace the filter or ask your hearing healthcare professional for advice on corrective action.

Avoid getting your instruments dirty
Always make sure your fingers are dry and clean before handling your hearing instruments.

The microphone inlet is only a few tenths of a millimeter (1/16 to 1/8 inch) wide and can easily become blocked if handled incorrectly.

Protect your instruments from dampness
Remove the instruments from your ears before showering, bathing, swimming, or exercising. Do not leave them in the bathroom, where they could suffer water damage. Dry any perspiration inside and around the ears regularly. Dampness and condensation can damage the circuitry in your hearing instruments. We recommend that you leave the battery compartments open overnight and use the special drying kit available from your hearing healthcare professional.

Protect your hearing instruments from heat
Never leave your hearing instruments where they may be affected by extreme heat. Protect them from direct sunlight (at home or in a parked car) and do not leave them near radiators.

Avoid sharp knocks and impact
Insert and remove your hearing instruments over a soft surface (a bed or sofa).

Avoid contact with hair spray or make-up
The fine particles produced by hair spray or make-up can easily block a microphone inlet. Always remove hearing instruments before using personal care products.

Keep instruments in a safe place
When your instruments are not in use, always keep them in the presentation case or special drying box. For transporting the instruments, keep them in their case. Remove the batteries if the instruments will not be used for some time.

Keep your hearing instruments out of the reach of young children and pets
Dogs and cats are irritated by the feedback (whistling) sound, and attracted by the owner's scent. Often the result is a chewed-up hearing instrument.

Always have repairs carried out by a specialist
Screwdrivers and oil can be fatal for hearing instruments. Merely touching the electronics or micromechanics can lead to irreparable damage.

Troubleshooting guide:

The volume drops

• Low battery - replace the battery.
• The receiver outlet is blocked with earwax - clean with the tools provided by your hearing healthcare professional. Change the cerumen filter.
• Blocked microphone inlet - consult your hearing healthcare professional.

The instrument "whistles" or "beeps" when in your ear

• The instrument is not correctly inserted in your ear - insert it again.
• The instrument is in the wrong ear - insert it in the other ear (the red dot is for the right ear, the blue dot is for the left ear).
• The fit of the instrument is too loose - consult your hearing healthcare professional.
• Sickness, weight gain or weight loss may affect the fit - consult your hearing healthcare professional.

The instrument does not work

• There is no battery - insert a battery.
• The battery compartment is not shut - close the compartment.
• The battery is dirty - clean the battery surface.
• The battery is exhausted - insert a new battery.
• The receiver is plugged with wax - gently clean or consult your hearing healthcare professional.

The instrument slips out of your ear

• The ear canal is wet or dirty - wipe the hearing instrument and your ear with a soft cloth.

The instrument hurts your ear

• The instrument is incorrectly positioned - remove and re-insert it.
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional.

The instrument is difficult to insert

• Place a small drop of non-irritating lubricant on your finger, and into the ear canal entrance before inserting your instrument. Ensure that no lubricant enters the receiver or microphone apertures.

Important
If the suggestions above do not solve the problem, consult your hearing healthcare professional.