Your hearing aids are sophisticated medical devices that work around the clock to help you stay connected to the world around you. Like any precision instrument, they need consistent care and maintenance to perform at their best. Understanding why regular hearing aid maintenance matters can help you get the most from your investment and maintain better hearing health.

Your Device Will Last Much Longer

Taking care of your hearing aids regularly makes them last much longer. These devices are built to be durable, but how long they last really depends on how well you take care of them. When you clean them every day, you're removing earwax, moisture, and small particles that can build up and damage the internal parts over time. When you come in for professional maintenance visits, we can spot potential problems before they turn into bigger issues, which saves you from expensive repairs or having to replace your hearing aids too soon.

With the right care, today's hearing aids can work well for five to seven years, sometimes even longer. This means taking care of them regularly doesn't just protect your hearing - it also protects the money you've invested. The small amount of time you put into daily care and occasional professional maintenance really pays off in how long your devices last.

Your Sound Quality Stays Clear

Clean hearing aids just work better. When earwax, dust, or moisture builds up in the microphone openings, receiver, or other parts, your sound quality gets worse. You might notice that sounds seem muffled, distorted, or not as loud as they should be. Regular cleaning and maintenance stops these problems from happening, making sure your hearing aids keep giving you the clear, natural sound you need.

The advanced technology inside modern hearing aids needs clear pathways to work right. When microphones get blocked, they can't pick up sound well, and when receivers get clogged, they can't deliver amplified sound clearly to your ear. By keeping all the parts clean, you preserve the advanced features that make today's hearing aids so effective.

You'll Avoid Expensive Repairs

Taking care of problems before they happen costs much less than fixing them after they break. Many hearing aid problems come from not cleaning and caring for them properly. Moisture damage, wax buildup, and parts wearing out can mostly be prevented with regular maintenance. When you let these issues develop, they often need professional repair services that could have been avoided completely.

At Sioux Falls Audiology Associates, we've seen how taking care of your hearing aids regularly prevents most common problems. Simple daily cleaning and storing them properly can prevent issues that might otherwise mean sending your devices back to the manufacturer for repair, which saves you both time and money.

Your Hearing Stays Reliable

Regular maintenance means your hearing aids provide reliable performance every single day. When devices are properly maintained, you can count on them to work well in all your daily activities. This reliability is really important for people who depend on their hearing aids for work, spending time with family and friends, and staying safe.

When your hearing aids work inconsistently, it can be frustrating and even dangerous. A hearing aid that only works sometimes might leave you unable to hear important sounds like smoke alarms, car horns, or someone calling your name. Regular maintenance helps prevent these reliability problems, so you can feel confident that your hearing aids will work when you need them.

Your Batteries Last Longer

Clean hearing aids use power more efficiently. When parts are clogged or dirty, the device often has to work harder to provide the same level of performance, which drains batteries faster. For rechargeable hearing aids, proper maintenance keeps the charging contacts clean and working well, which means more efficient charging cycles.

Battery compartments that stay clean and free of buildup provide better electrical connections, which means more reliable power and longer battery life. This translates to fewer battery changes if you use disposable batteries and more predictable charging if you have rechargeable devices.

Your Ears Stay Healthier

Dirty hearing aids can harbor bacteria and other germs that might contribute to ear infections or other ear health problems. Regular cleaning removes these potentially harmful microorganisms, which helps keep your ears healthy. This is really important for people who wear their hearing aids for many hours each day.

Proper maintenance includes cleaning both the hearing aids and any custom earmolds or domes. These parts sit directly in your ear canal and can collect bacteria if they're not cleaned regularly. Clean devices contribute to better overall ear health and comfort.

Professional Care Makes a Difference

While cleaning your hearing aids daily is important, professional maintenance provides deeper care that you can't do at home. During professional maintenance appointments, we thoroughly clean internal parts, check for wear and damage, test how well everything works, and make any needed adjustments. We have specialized tools and cleaning solutions made specifically for hearing aid maintenance.

Professional maintenance also includes software updates and performance adjustments. As your hearing changes over time or as you find yourself in new listening situations, we can fine-tune your hearing aids to keep them working their best. We also verify that your devices are providing the right amount of amplification through Real Ear Measurements, making sure they're programmed exactly right for your specific hearing needs.

Daily Care Doesn't Have to Be Hard

Taking care of your hearing aids every day doesn't have to be complicated. Simple steps like wiping your hearing aids with a dry cloth, using a soft brush to remove debris from microphone openings, and storing your devices in a dry, safe place make a big difference. For rechargeable hearing aids, putting them in their charging case each night not only charges the batteries but also gives them a clean, protected place to rest.

Take your hearing aids out before showering, swimming, or using hair products. These activities expose the devices to moisture and chemicals that can cause damage. Always handle your hearing aids over a soft surface to prevent damage if you accidentally drop them.

We're Here When Repairs Are Needed

Even with regular maintenance, hearing aids sometimes need professional attention. We provide complete repair services for all types of hearing aids, whether you got them from us or somewhere else. Our repair services include battery replacement, professional wax removal, tubing replacement, program adjustments, and re-fitting when needed.

We also keep hearing aid supplies in stock, like cleaning tools, wax traps, batteries, and domes. Having access to the right supplies makes taking care of your hearing aids at home easier and more effective.

Get Your Hearing Aids Serviced Today

Regular hearing aid maintenance is an investment in your hearing health and quality of life. At Sioux Falls Audiology Associates, we're committed to helping you get the most from your hearing aids through professional maintenance services and teaching you about proper care techniques.

Dr. Norgaard and our team understand how important it is to keep your hearing aids working at their best. With our experience serving the Sioux Falls community and our commitment to evidence-based practices, we provide the professional care your hearing aids need to serve you well for years to come. Contact us today to schedule your hearing aid maintenance appointment and learn more about how proper care can benefit your hearing health.