Hearing aid maintenance: the five minute habit that prevents most problems
Most hearing aid problems are caused by moisture and wax rather than device failure. A daily wipe with a dry cloth, checking the wax filter, leaving the battery door open or the device out of the charger overnight to dry, and keeping the aid away from heat and water will prevent the majority of faults. Northside Audiology provides ongoing support and servicing for the devices we fit.
A hearing aid spends its working life in the warmest, most humid, waxiest environment in the human body. Nothing else you own is asked to do that. So when a device suddenly sounds weak, crackly or dead, the cause is usually not the electronics.
Here is the hearing aid maintenance routine that prevents most problems, and the short list of faults you can fix yourself before booking an appointment.
The daily routine, which takes about five minutes
- Wipe the aid with a dry cloth or tissue at the end of the day. Never use water, alcohol or cleaning wipes on the device.
- Check the part that sits in your ear for wax. This is the single most common cause of reduced or muffled sound.
- Let it dry overnight. Open the battery door, or leave a rechargeable device out of a sealed case, so moisture can escape.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry. Not a bathroom, not a car, not a windowsill.
Hearing aid cleaning: what actually blocks the sound
Wax is the usual culprit, and it accumulates faster than most people expect. Most devices use a small replaceable wax filter or guard, which is designed to be changed rather than cleaned. If sound has dropped in one ear only, replace the filter before assuming anything worse. Domes and tubing also need periodic replacement, since both stiffen and discolour over time.
Hearing aid not working? A quick checklist
- Is it switched on and fully charged, or is the battery fresh?
- Has the wax filter been changed recently?
- Is the dome or tubing split, blocked or stiff?
- Have you checked the programme or volume setting has not been changed accidentally?
- Is the sound weak in one ear or both? One ear points to a blockage, both points to a settings or connectivity issue.
If your hearing aid is not working after all of those checks, stop there. Do not attempt to open the casing or dry a device in a microwave or oven, both of which will destroy it.
Moisture, heat and Sydney summers
Humidity, sweat and sudden temperature changes are the biggest enemies of hearing aid electronics. Take devices out before swimming or showering, and be deliberate about drying them after a hot or humid day. If you exercise heavily or work outdoors, ask your audiologist about drying options.
What professional servicing adds
Professional hearing aid servicing and hearing aid repairs in Sydney go beyond cleaning. It includes deep cleaning of components you cannot reach, replacing filters, domes and tubing, checking the device is still performing to specification, and reprogramming if your hearing has changed. Northside Audiology provides fitting, programming and ongoing support to keep devices performing well, which is the part that determines whether a hearing aid is still helping you in year four.
Book a service
If your device sounds different, or it has been a while since it was last checked, book an appointment at Chatswood, Bella Vista, Neutral Bay or Gladesville.
Key facts
- Most hearing aid faults are caused by moisture and wax rather than device failure.
- Daily care: wipe with a dry cloth, check for wax, allow the device to dry overnight, and store it somewhere cool and dry.
- Never use water, alcohol or cleaning wipes on a hearing aid, and never dry one in a microwave or oven.
- Reduced sound in one ear only usually indicates a blocked wax filter.
- Northside Audiology provides fitting, programming and ongoing support, with clinics at Chatswood, Bella Vista, Neutral Bay and Gladesville.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean my hearing aids?
Wipe them with a dry cloth or tissue daily, check the part that sits in your ear for wax, and change the wax filter as needed. Do not use water, alcohol or cleaning wipes.
Why has my hearing aid gone quiet in one ear?
A blocked wax filter is the most common cause. Replace the filter, and check the dome and tubing for blockages, before assuming a fault.
Can hearing aids get wet?
They should be removed before showering or swimming. Moisture is one of the main causes of hearing aid faults, so let devices dry overnight with the battery door open.
How often should hearing aids be serviced?
Have them checked periodically by your audiologist for deep cleaning, filter and tubing replacement, and to confirm the programming still matches your hearing.
Can Northside Audiology service hearing aids?
Yes. Fitting, programming and ongoing support are part of the service, at Chatswood, Bella Vista, Neutral Bay and Gladesville.
Book a service appointment at your nearest clinic.