HOW TO

Take care of your hearing aids

They help you navigate your life, so we make sure hearing aids can withstand years of wear and tear – as long as you look after them.

You can maximize the life expectancy of your hearing aids and keep them working properly with a few simple tips.

How long does a hearing aid last?

Find out more

Avoid drops, knocks and bumps

The small components inside your hearing aids are tough, but no electronics are indestructible. To avoid damage if you drop your hearing aids, have a soft surface underneath when you handle them – rather than the hard bathroom floor. And when you are not wearing your hearing aids, keep them safely in their case or in a dryer.

Safeguard in summer

We sweat more in the summer, which can lead to more condensation inside your hearing aids. Check for moisture inside the battery drawer and dry them out if necessary.

When you’re not wearing your hearing aids, keep them out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving them in a hot car – the plastic casing of hearing aids can melt in severe heat.

Beware of the beach

Beside the sea, you expose your hearing aids to saltwater, sand and sun cream. Saltwater can leave salt crystals inside hearing aids, sand can block microphone ports, and sunscreen can contain chemicals that damage the plastic hearing aid body.

So avoid touching your hearing aids if your hands are sandy, remove your hearing aids when you apply sun cream, and keep them away from saltwater.

Check for chemicals in cosmetics

Hearing aids can be damaged by chemicals that are found in some products such as hairspray, perfume, aftershave lotion, suntan lotion, insect repellent, and eardrops.

Always remove your hearing aids before applying such products, and allow time for the product to dry. Then, remember to wipe your hands before replacing your hearing aids. And when it’s time to clean your hearing aids, never use cleaning fluids or solvents.

Read more about safe hearing aid cleaning

Cold brings condensation and zaps batteries

Winter can be hard on hearing aid batteries. They struggle to work at low temperatures, making them less effective and leading to a shorter battery life. Try to store batteries at room temperature, and if you take some spare ones with you out into the cold, carry them in your jacket where they will stay warm.

The sudden temperature changes from the cold outdoors to a warm room can build up condensation inside your hearing aids, so you may need to open the battery drawers at night or put them in a dryer.

See our top tips for a cold New Year’s Eve

Watch out for water

Hearing aids are designed for all daily life situations, including getting caught out in the rain or working up a sweat. Because the components are nano-coated, Oticon hearing aids meet IP68 specifications and can survive being submerged under 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes.

However, if any moisture remains inside, it can affect the contact the battery makes, causing a temporary malfunction. So if your hearing aids get wet, open the battery drawers at night to ventilate them, or consider getting a hearing aid dryer.

What is the life expectancy of a hearing aid?

As long as you invest in a quality hearing aid, it will have an estimated lifespan of between three and seven years. So with good care, it’s not often you have to replace a hearing aid.

However, that’s an average, and it depends on the style of hearing device. In-the-ear hearing aids tend to last up to five years, while behind-the-ear hearing aids typically last five to six years.

One thing is for certain: good care will maximize your hearing aids’ lifetime.

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