HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR BTE HEARING AIDS AT HOME ON A ROUTINE BASIS LIKE A PRO?

BTE hearing aids are pricey devices for the general public, so learning how to clean and maintain them at home is a good practice to extend their life. Compared to most electronics, hearing aids are used in a more demanding environment.

Here is a list of BTE  hearing aid care things you can do every day to help keep your hearing aids working properly.If you have any questions about hearing aids, please feel free to contact us through medical12@spiethgroup.com for help.

 

BTE Hearing Aid Care Checklist Daily

●Using a battery tester, check the battery. 
Replace the old battery with a new one immediately if the battery is low or does not work at all. Leaving old batteries in your hearing aid can lead to corrosion, which can be severe enough to cause the hearing aid to stop working. Therefore, it is a good idea to carry a spare battery with you to prevent the hearing aid from suddenly running out of power and not working.

●Examine the microphone connector for debris (dirt, wax).
If blocked, use the wax loop tool to gently remove the debris. Take care not to insert the wax loop too deeply as it can push in further debris and damage the microphone.

●Examine the hearing aid cabinet for damage such as cracks, damaged battery doors, or exposed wires. Inform your audiologist of any damage to the hearing aid case that you notice.

●Examine the earmuffs and tubing for blockages or cracks. Should there be ear wax or debris in the earmuffs, gently remove the blockage using the wax ring tool that comes with the hearing aid. If the earmuffs or tubes are cracked, inform your audiologist. See below for information on how to wash your earmuffs.
Examine dials and switches for movement or breakage. Dials and switches include telex or program toggle switches (not all hearing aids will have additional dials or switches). Let your audiologist know if you have a problem with your dial or switch.

●Examine the quality of sound using a hearing aid stethoscope. It is important that you perform a hearing aid stethoscopy every day so that you know your hearing aid is working properly. The sound should be clear and crisp, with no static or distortion. Once the hearing aid stethoscope is attached to the hearing aid, say the sounds “oo”, “ee”, “ah”, “shh”, “s” and “f”. Are they clear? Also, check the volume control (not on all hearing aids). Move them up and down to check that the sound is clear and that the hearing aid is working properly.

●Examine the feedback (whine). Feedback is typically the result of one of the following problems: 1) the connection between the hearing aid, tube or earmold may not be tight: 2) the tube or earmold may be broken, 3) earwax may be blocking the ear or the hearing aid, or 4) the hearing aid may be improperly fitted. Make sure the hearing aid is properly in the ear and is always in the ear. Should feedback occur, even though all of these things have been checked, speak to your audiologist.

 

Steps for daily cleaning of BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids

Please follow these steps to clean your BTE hearing aids and earmolds.

1.Check your device carefully for debris, then remove it with a soft brush or dry cloth.

2.Clean the earmould by removing it from the hook. Certain earmolds, particularly those made of soft materials, can become discolored and stained over time. It is helpful to wipe them down daily and soak them in warm, soapy water weekly. Keep the molds completely dry overnight before using them, and do not use alcohol or other chemicals on them. Over time, your ear molds may give off a slight odor, but a strong odor may indicate that you have an ear infection, so if you notice this, consult your hearing care professional.

3.Use a bulb blower to squeeze the water out of the tube and then allow it to dry completely overnight.

 

Further Reading:

BTE VS. RIC HEARING AIDS: WHICH ONE IS MORE SUITABLE FOR ME?

SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO BEFORE YOU BUY A HEARING AID

HOW DO I HANDLE FEEDBACK SOUNDS FROM MY HEARING AIDS?

THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD EVER GET ABOUT CIC HEARING AIDS

HOW CAN THE POSITION OF THE MICROPHONE AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HEARING AID?

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