Caring for your 

hearing instruments

A hearing instrument is sturdily built, but it can not withstand rough treatment.  Handle with care at all times.  Here are some practical suggestions.

Put on and take off your instruments over a soft surface (bed, sofa, etc.)

Don't expose your hearing instruments to intense heat.  Keep them out of direct sunlight (at home or in a parked car) and away from radiators.

Remove your hearing instruments before entering the shower, bathtub or swimming area.  Keep them dry at all times.  At night, specially in humid climates, leave the battery compartments open, and wipe the instruments with a soft cloth.  In humid conditions or when perspiring regularly wipe perspiration from around your ears and dehumidify your instruments daily.  (Your hearing healthcare professional has a suitable, inexpensive accessory for this purpose.)

 Never leave your instruments where small children and pets can reach them.  Dogs are offended by the feedback signal, and attracted by the owner's scent.  The combination often produces a chewed hearing instrument.

Protect your hearing instruments from hair sprays, oils, etc.  Don't wear your instruments during beauty salon treatments.

Clean your hearing instruments with a soft dry cloth only.  Alcohol, solvents and cleaning products are harmful.

Maintain good ear canal hygiene.  Keep your instruments and the earmold and tubing of BTE instruments, free from ear wax and dirt and debris at all times.  Special cleaning products are available from your hearing professional who can also regularly check your hearing instruments for ear wax build-up and general operating efficiency.

The screwdriver and oil are enemies of your instruments.  Interference with the electronics or micromecanics can cause irreparable damage.

Because the electronics of an ITE style instrument is built into the shell which sits in your ear, your ITEs are particularly susceptible to damage from the invasion of ear wax, moisture and dirt.