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Use and Wear

Find tips on properly wearing, adjusting, and handling your hearing aids to ensure comfort and optimal performance throughout the day  
Published 11/26/2024,
Updated 1/13/2025
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Inserting hearing aids

How to insert hearing aids

General tips

  • Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids to protect against dirt and bacteria.
  • Make sure the battery has been properly charged (for rechargeable hearing aids) or replaced as needed (for non-rechargeable hearing aids), and the hearing aids are turned on.
  • Look for the red and blue markers on your hearing aids to differentiate between the right and left devices — red indicates right, blue indicates left.
  • In front of a mirror, gently pull your earlobe down to straighten the ear canal, and slowly insert the hearing aid. Repeat on the other side.
  • If you feel any pain or discomfort while inserting your hearing aids, stop and contact your hearing care provider. 

     
    Taking off hearing aids

    How to take off your hearing aids

    General tips for ITE, BTE and RIC hearing aids

    • Wash your hands to prevent dirt, oil, and bacteria from getting on your hearing aids and in your ears.
    • Be gentle when pulling out the hearing aid receiver from your ear.
      • If you have BTE or RIC hearing aids, move the portion from behind your ear to the front of your ear first. Then grasp the ear mold or umbrella inside your ear with your thumb and finger.
      • If you have ITE hearing aids, place your thumb behind your earlobe and slowly push your ear upwards to slide the hearing aid out of the ear canal. A chewing movement may help to loosen the hearing aid. Once it appears you can grasp and remove it. If your hearing aids have a pull-out thread, gently pull it out with your thumb and first finger.
    • Avoid pulling on the tubing or wire. This can damage your hearing aid.
    • Important Reminders

      Always remove your hearing aids before showering or swimming.

      Dry your hearing aids immediately with a soft cloth if they get wet.

      Do not expose your hearing aids to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

    Turning hearing aids on & off

    How to turn your hearing aids on & off

    How to turn your hearing aids ON:

    • For models that require battery changes: Most hearing aids will turn on simply by closing the battery door after replacing the battery, or by pressing the power button.
    • For rechargeable models: Simply remove them from the charger, or press the power button.

    How to turn your hearing aids OFF

    • For models that require battery changes: Open the battery door, or press the power button.
    • For rechargeable models: Place them in the charging case, or press the power button.

    Keep in mind: Turning hearing aids on and off may vary by model. Always refer to the instructions and steps in your user manual. Your hearing care specialist can also.help you if you have questions.

    Resetting and restarting hearing aids

    How to reset and restart your hearing aids

    If you need to reset or restart your hearing aids, you can start with a simple fix by opening and closing the battery door. For rechargeable hearing aids, placing them in their charger for one to two minutes before removing them may do the trick. If these steps don't resolve the problem, try the following reset methods:

    Hearing Aids with replaceable batteries

    1. Open the battery door.
    2. Remove the batteries from the device.
    3. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
    4. Reinsert the batteries into the hearing aids.
    5. Close the battery door to complete the reset.

    Using the reset button on the device

    1. Locate the reset button on your hearing aid.
    2. Press and hold the button for five seconds.
    3. Listen for a beep or look for a flashing light to confirm the reset is complete.

    Resetting with a remote control

    1. Open the battery compartments on your hearing aids.
    2. On the remote control, press and hold all three buttons simultaneously for five seconds.
    3. Wait until the LED indicator glows green.
    4. Close the battery compartments to finalize the reset process.

    Resetting Bluetooth

    Go to the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone or through your hearing aid app to disconnect and reconnect.

    Always refer to your hearing aids' manual for information on resetting your devices, as resetting instructions may vary by brand. For hearing aid issues that don't resolve after a reset, contact your hearing care specialist.

    Adjusting the hearing aids volume

    How to adjust hearing aid volume

    When it comes to adjusting the volume on your hearing aids, there are several ways to do it quickly and discreetly. Whether you prefer to do it directly on the device or from a smartphone app in the palm of your hand, it's never been easier or faster to find your perfect listening level.
    • 1.

      Hearing Aid Buttons:

      Most hearing aids have buttons for quick, easy volume control.
      Press the button to increase or decrease the volume.
    • 2.

      Smartphone App:

      Most modern hearing aids connect to a smartphone app, which allows you to easily and discreetly change settings, like the volume.
       Use your hearing aid instruction manual for information about your hearing aids' specific app, including downloading it and connecting your devices.You can also talk with your hearing care specialist if you have questions.
       Once connected, you can use the app to adjust volume, frequency, and other settings anytime, anywhere.
    • 3.

      Remote Control

      • Some hearing aids come with a remote control, which allows you to adjust the volume.
      • Keep your remote in a safe place so you'll always know where it is.

    • 4.

      Starting Point:

      • Begin with the volume at a low level.
      • Gradually increase it until you achieve a comfortable listening experience.
      • If you're using a smartphone app, you may be able to create settings for different listening environments. This will give you a more seamless experience with your hearing aids.
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