Being diagnosed and coming to terms with hearing loss can be a challenging thing. With a diagnosis, there might be questions you forget to ask your audiologist. Having a list of written questions or concerns will allow you to remember all you have to ask.

How do I look after my hearing aids?

Understanding how to look after your hearing aids should be the top question to ask at your fitting appointment. Different hearing aids require different types of cleaning and maintenance; they also come with their own set of instructions. Wearing hearing aids every day means they will have different amounts of wear and tear, but you should not submerge them in water.

Having a routine of cleaning and changing the batteries will ensure your hearing aids are best cared for. Your audiologist will educate you on the right way to clean your aids to help you avoid moisture and debris build-up.

How often should I wear my hearing aids?

This depends on what level of support you need from your hearing aids and what your audiologist suggests. When you first receive your hearing aids, you may be tempted to wear them all the time. However, it’s important to get used to them. Having hearing loss means parts of your brain have been deprived of certain sounds, so introducing your brain to hearing aids may be overwhelming to start with. Wearing your hearing aids at increasing intervals means you won’t be overwhelmed by noises like wind or clothing rustles.

Will I need checkups?

To start with, it may take up to 12 weeks to get the adjustments to your hearing aids correctly. So, you may need multiple appointments to make small changes to the aids. You should still attend regular periodic checkups to ensure your hearing aids are still serving their purpose to you. If you find you are experiencing any feedback or background noise you can have adjustments made at any time via your audiologist.

How do I know when to change the batteries?

This is the most critical question to ask because, without working batteries, your hearing aids won’t be working. Most hearing aids have relatively easy batteries to change, but it is important to know when and how to change the batteries. You should be provided with the correct tools to change the batteries, so you don’t damage the inside of the hearing aids. The type of batteries is dependent on the type of device. Some batteries are able to be recharged, whereas some are one-time use.