Taking care of your hearing aids and earmoulds

Hearing aids are valuable instruments so it is important that you care for them as you would any other valuable and delicate items. Here are some simple tips to help you.

• Wipe your aids regularly with a dry cloth or tissue.
• Avoid getting your hearing aids wet.
• Hearing aids should never be exposed to extreme heat.
• Keep them in the case provided when not wearing them.
• Clean the tip with the tools provided to prevent wax build-up in the receiver. Be fastidious about this aspect of care. Wax causes most problems in hearing aids.
• If you are fitted with an open fit device with a capillary tube remember to clear the sound bore with the fine “whisker” provided.
• Keep your hearing aids away from pets. They like to chew them!
• If you are wearing a behind the ear hearing aid with an attached ear mould it is recommended you wipe the mould down regularly with an alcohol swipe or wash it in warm soapy water (after detaching it from the hearing aid). Please be sure to dry the ear mould carefully before reattaching it to your hearing aid.

Batteries

The life of batteries will vary with hearing aid type and conditions of use. When you are not using your hearing aids remember to turn them off and open the battery holder to conserve battery power. You should always have spare batteries on hand. Telephone us when you need more. We will post them to your home.

Dispose of batteries in the normal garbage. Do not place them in an incinerator as they may explode. Be sure to keep them away from young children for whom they may be a swallowing hazard. Equally, adults with poor eyesight or cognitive difficulties are at risk for accidental swallowing, especially if they are situated where they may be mistaken for tablets. If a battery is ingested seek medical advice promptly.

Maintenance

Repairs are sometimes required due to the intricate technology of hearing aids today. If your hearing aid is not working and it is not the battery or wax build-up then you will need to bring it in to your nearest centre. If the support staff cannot rectify the problem, the manufacturer may need to become involved. If necessary, we can provide you with a loan hearing aid while yours is away.

Clients who obtain free devices and continue to pay their annual basic maintenance fees will not experience any repair, battery or consultation charges. Please note that the annual basic maintenance fee is funded by DVA for eligible Veterans.

For clients who have invested their own funds to obtain a Top Up Instrument, a contribution toward repair costs ex warranty is detailed on your Hearing Instrument Order. Your contribution is proportional to your personal equity in the device and is expressed in percentage terms. Please note that the manufacturer warranty on the ear shell is ninety days, whereas on the hearing instrument itself the warranty is 12 months.

For private clients repairs are charged on a fee for service basis.

You are not alone!

Information concerning support agencies for clients with particular difficulties is available from your local National Hearing Centre.

Aid adjustment service

In future years you may require an occasional aid adjustment. We can perform a quick check of your hearing levels and fine-tune your hearing aid. You will be eligible for an aid adjustment service if required every other year from the year of fitting, if you are an OHS client.