Prolonging Hearing Aid Life

The two most common preventable causes of hearing aid malfunction are moisture and ear wax. Moisture (from perspiration and/or humidity) can clog the microphone opening, the speaker opening the ear hook that directs sound to the ear canal, and can even effect the battery contacts and electronics of the hearing aid. The most effective way to reduce the complications associated with moisture is to “de-humidify” the hearing aid regularly. Several products are available that use chemicals or electronic dryers to draw moisture out of the hearing aid. Storing your hearing aids in one of these devices overnight can go a long way to reducing or even eliminating problems associated with moisture.

Ear wax can also migrate into and plug the sound opening of the hearing aid that sits inside your ear canal. All hearing aids come with tools (brushes and little wire “scoops”) that can be used to remove any ear wax that may have accumulated in the sound opening of the hearing aid. If you are prone to produce a greater-than-average amount of ear wax, regular visits to your audiologist for ear wax removal is encouraged. 

AuDNet, Inc. is a nationwide network of independent audiology providers. All AuDNet audiologists have earned advanced university degrees in audiology, and are fully trained to interpret case histories, carefully test and evaluate all aspects of the auditory system, advise physicians on hearing loss and balance etiologies, and treat hearing loss and balance conditions that are not amenable to medical or surgical intervention. 

The first consideration in seeking hearing care is the expertise and skill of the care giver. Through the AuDNet network of audiology providers, patients have an easy and effective way of insuring that they are receiving hearing care and treatment from qualified and highly trained audiologists