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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
OF HEARING AID INSTRUMENTS
USEFUL TIPS FOR CARING
FOR YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS
Modern hearing instruments are durable, easy-to use and reliable.
Nevertheless, a few simple precautions will ensure that your instruments
continue to give you many years of trouble-free service.
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Avoid getting your
hearing instruments dirty.
Always make sure your fingers are dry and clean before handling your
hearing instruments. The microphone inlet is only a few tenths of a
millimeter (1/16 to 1/8 inch) wide and can become blocked easily.
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Avoid sharp knocks and
impact.
Insert and remove your hearing instruments over a soft surface (a bed or
sofa).
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Protect your hearing
instruments from heat.
Never leave your hearing instruments where they may be affected by
extreme heat. Protect them from direct sunlight (at home and in a parked
car) and do not leave them near radiators.
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Protect your
instruments from dampness.
Remove instruments from your ears before showering, bathing or swimming.
Do not leave them in the bathroom where they could suffer water damage.
Dry any perspiration inside and around the ears regularly. Dampness and
condensation can damage the circuitry in your hearing instruments. We
recommend that you leave the battery compartments open overnight and use
the special drying kit available from your hearingcare professional.
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Keep your hearing
instruments out of the reach of children and pets.
Dogs are irritated by the feedback (whistling) sound and attracted by
the owner’s scent. Often the result is a chewed up hearing instrument.
The hearing instrument battery can be dangerous if swallowed. Consult a
medical professional immediately if the battery is accidentally
ingested.
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Avoid contact with
make-up or hair spray.
The fine particles produced by make-up or hair spray can easily block a
microphone inlet. Always remove hearing instruments before using such
products.
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Clean your instruments
carefully.
Clean your instruments using a soft, dry cloth. Alcohol, solvents and
cleaning fluids can damage electronic circuitry.
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Ear hygiene.
Always make sure that the ear is clean. If your instrument sounds weak,
it may be due to the sound outlet or the cerumen filter being blocked
with wax or dirt. You can obtain special cleaning products from your
hearingcare professional.
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Keep your instruments
in a safe place.
When your instruments are not in use, always keep them in the
presentation case or in a special drying box. Remove the batteries if
the instruments will not be used for some time.
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Always have repairs
carried out by a specialist.
Screwdrivers and oil can be fatal for hearing instruments. Merely
touching the electronics or micro-mechanics can lead to irreparable
damage. See your hearingcare professional for service of your hearing
instrument.
CLEANING AND CARE OF YOUR IN-THE-EAR HEARING
INSTRUMENTS
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Your hearingcare
professional will give you specific information on cleaning your hearing
instruments and may recommend a special cleaning kit.
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Water and solvent
cleaning agents can damage electronic circuitry. Use a soft, dry cloth
to clean the instruments whenever they are removed from your ears.
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Remove any accumulated
cerumen daily. When using a cerumen removal tool, e.g. a brush, always
clean the instrument from below. This will prevent particles of wax or
dirt from getting inside the instrument.
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If your instrument
sounds weak, it may be the result of the sound outlet or the cerumen
filter being blocked with cerumen. Either replace the filter or ask your
hearingcare professional for advice.
Note: In-the-Ear hearing instruments are particularly susceptible
to damage caused by ear wax, moisture or dirt. This is because the
electronics are integrated into the shell.
CLEANING AND CARE OF YOUR BEHIND-THE-EAR HEARING
INSTRUMENT
Clean the earmold daily. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and always
check the opening of the earmold to be sure it is not clogged with earwax.
A clogged opening will prevent sound from reaching your ear. About once
per week you should wash the earmold.
Consult your hearingcare professional if …
► The earmold causes pain
or discomfort
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Earwax cannot be
cleared from the earmold
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The tubing becomes
yellow or brittle
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The hearing instrument
whistles making it impossible to set the correct volume
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