How to take good care of your hearing aids
Follow our tips and tricks to keep your hearing aids working well and ensure they last as long as possible.
What is the life expectancy of a hearing aid?
Quality hearing aids have a typical lifespan of between three and seven years. Good care will maximise your hearing aids’ lifetime and help ensure you won’t have to replace them very often.
Tips and tricks to help you take care of your hearing aids
Minimise drops, knocks, and bumps.
The small components inside your hearing aids are tough, but all electronics are vulnerable to impacts.
- When you handle your hearing aids, try to do it above a soft surface rather than a hard bathroom floor
- When you're not wearing your hearing aids, keep them safely in a case, charger, or hearing aid dryer
Safeguard against sweat.
As they sit against skin, hearing aids gather moisture inside their plastic shells.
- Check for moisture and dry your hearing aids in an airy place, charger, or hearing aid dryer
- Open the battery drawer for better drying if you have a hearing aid with disposable batteries
- Be especially aware during summer or after sports, when we all sweat more
Keep them clean.
Dirt builds up in and on hearing aids, which can block sound, hold moisture, and prevent them from functioning properly.
- Wipe your hearing aids regularly with a dry cloth or tissue
- Remove ear wax build-up
Watch out for water.
Bernafon hearing aids can survive your getting caught out in the rain or working up a sweat.
However, longer-term exposure can still be damaging, so it’s important to minimise your hearing aids’ contact with water and ensure they are regularly dried.
- Remove your hearing aids in the shower or when swimming
- If your hearing aids are exposed to moisture or very humid conditions, dry your hearing aids in an airy place or hearing aid dryer
- Open the battery drawer for better drying if you have disposable batteries
- Never use a hair dryer or microwave oven to attempt to dry hearing aids
Beware on the beach.
Salt water can leave salt crystals inside hearing aids, sand can block microphone ports, and sunscreen can contain chemicals that damage your hearing aids’ plastic casing.
- Avoid touching your hearing aids if your hands are sandy
- Remove your hearing aids when you apply sunscreen
- Keep your hearing aids away from salt water
Avoid cosmetic chemicals.
Some products that we put on our skin and hair can have detrimental effects on hearing aids. These can include aftershave lotion, hairspray, oils, perfume, sunscreen, insect repellent, and eardrops.
- Remove your hearing aids before applying cosmetic products
- Allow time for cosmetics to dry before replacing your hearing aids
- Remember to wipe your hands before putting your hearing aids back on
Watch out for extreme heat.
Very hot temperatures and direct sunlight can damage your hearing aids and even melt their plastic casing.
- Never expose your hearing aids to extreme heat
- Don’t leave your hearing aids in a hot car
- Keep your hearing aids out of direct sunlight when you're not wearing them
Take care in the cold.
Cold weather can be tough on hearing aid batteries. They struggle to work properly in the low temperatures, which also shorten their life expectancy. Cold temperatures can also bring condensation challenges.
- Store disposable batteries at room temperature, and if you carry spares, keep them warm in your pocket
- If your hearing aids are exposed to moisture or very humid conditions, dry your hearing aids in an airy place, charger, or hearing aid dryer
- Open the battery drawer for better drying if you have a hearing aid with disposable batteries