Here you will find practical information for the care and maintenance of your hearing instruments:

• General useful tips
• Cleaning and care of In-the-Ear hearing instruments
• Cleaning and care of Behind-the-Ear hearing instruments
• Troubleshooting

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.

1. 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.
2. Avoid sharp knocks and impact
   Insert and remove your hearing instruments over a soft surface (a bed or sofa).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Clean your instruments carefully
   Clean your instruments using a soft, dry cloth. Alcohol, solvents and cleaning fluids can damage electronic circuitry.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

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Cleaning and care of your In-the-Ear hearing instruments

1. Your hearingcare professional will give you specific information on cleaning your hearing instruments and may recommend a special cleaning kit.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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Cleaning and care of your Behind-the-Ear hearing instruments

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
• Earwax cannot be cleared from the earmold
• The tubing becomes yellow or brittle
• The hearing instrument whistles making it impossible to set the correct volume

Important note

Always separate the earmold from the hearing instrument before you wash it. The hearing instrument should never come into contact with water. Before putting the two back together, make sure that they are both completely dry. To reattach the earmold to the hearing instrument:

Make sure that the curve of the earmold matches that of the hearing instrument (see diagram)

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Troubleshooting

The volume drops

• Low battery – replace it.
• The sound outlet is blocked with earwax – clean with a small brush. Change the cerumen filter.
• Blocked microphone inlet – consult your hearingcare professional.

The instrument “whistles“ in the ear

• The instrument is not correctly inserted in your ear. Try again.
• The instrument is in the wrong ear – swap it over.
• The fit of the instrument is too loose – consult your hearingcare professional.

The instrument does not work

• There is no battery in it – insert one.
• The battery compartment is not closed – shut it.
• The battery is dirty – clean the battery surface.
• The battery is dead – replace it.

The instrument slips out of your ear

• The ear canal is wet or dirty – wipe the hearing instrument and your ear with a soft, dry cloth.

The instrument hurts your ear

• The instrument is not correctly positioned – remove and re-insert it. If the problem persists, consult your hearingcare professional.

The instrument is difficult to insert

• Place a small drop of non-irritating lubricant on your finger and smear onto the ear canal entrance before inserting your instrument. Ensure that no lubricant enters the sound outlet or microphone apertures.

Important

If the suggestions above do not solve the problem, contact your hearingcare professional.

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