How to Look After and Clean Your Hearing Aids

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

When your hearing aid is not in use

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

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

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

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.