How to charge and clean your hearing aids

1. Remove your hearing aids and ensure they're free of dirt and debris.
   
   
2. Place them in the charging case, ensuring the charging contacts align. The case should light up to indicate it's charging.
   
   
3. Close the case lid and connect it to a power outlet, if not already.
   
   
4. Charge them overnight, or until the charging light turns off, indicating a full charge.

Tip: Charge your hearing aids every night to ensure they can power you through the next day.

General tips

• Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids.
  
  
• Use a soft, dry cloth when cleaning them.
  
  
• Remove your hearing aids before using hairspray or perfume.
  
  
• Remove your hearing aids at night and store them in a drying box or charger.
  
  
• Never use household cleaning products, oil, or alcohol to clean your hearing aids.
  
  
• Don't expose your hearing aids to excessive heat, or expose them to water.

As needed

• Replace the filter if it becomes discolored, dirty, or blocked with wax. 
  
  
• Use a cleaning thread to remove wax buildup in the tubing. Replace the tubing if it becomes discolored or blocked.
  
  
• Replace ear domes if damaged.

Daily cleaning

• Wipe the surface: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the hearing aids to remove dirt, oil, earwax, and other residue.
  
  
• Clear openings: Take the small brush included with your hearing aids to clean around the microphone and speaker openings, ensuring there’s no wax or debris blocking them.
  
  
• Vent cleaning: For models with vents, use a brush or air blower to remove any buildup, taking care not to push in debris.
  
  
• Allow ventilation: Open the battery compartment overnight to let moisture escape. If your hearing aids are rechargeable, ensure the charging station is clean and free of dust.
  
  

Weekly cleaning

• If you have a behind-the-ear hearing aid, detach the earmolds and wash them in warm, soapy water.
  
  Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before reattaching them.
  
  Do not wash the hearing aid itself or expose it to water. 
  
  

Monthly cleaning

• Do a detailed inspection, checking all parts of the hearing aids for any buildup and cleaning using the provided tools.
  
  Pay special attention to the microphones and vents to keep them free from wax or dust.
  
  

Every six months or as recommended

• Replace filters or guards: Swap out wax guards or microphone filters to maintain optimal performance.
  
  These parts can collect debris over time, so replacing them ensures the device continues working effectively.
  
  
• Professional tune-up: Schedule a visit with your audiologist for a deep clean and functionality check to address any hidden issues or wear.

Always make sure that your fingers are clean and dry before touching your hearing aid. The microphone input is very small and can become blocked if handled improperly.

Protect your hearing aid from moisture. Remove the hearing aid from your ear before showering, bathing or swimming. Due to high moisture levels, you should not leave it in the bathroom. Occasionally clean your ears before inserting the hearing aids. Moisture and condensation can damage the electronics in your hearing aid. We recommend that you remove the battery from the hearing aid at night and leave the battery compartment open. You can use special drying systems that are available from your local bloom™ hearing specialists store.

Place the hearing aid out of reach of children and pets. Hearing aids that are still switched on and lying around emit high-pitched sounds that can irritate dogs. In fact, this has resulted in some hearing aids getting eaten by pet dogs.

For adjustments

There are a handful of ways to adjust your hearing aids.

While you can do some adjustments on your own, letting a professional help you can ensure your hearing aids are sitting correctly in or behind your ear and matching your exact needs.

You can:

• Use the hearing aid app. Many hearing aid settings, such as volume and background noise filtration, can be fine-tuned from the app, all from the palm of your hand.
  
  
• Make an appointment with your audiologist, who can help ensure your hearing aids are programmed to your needs.
  
  
• Find a bloom hearing location near you and schedule an appointment with a audiologist.

For repairs

Keep in mind that hearing aids are tiny computers. Don't attempt to repair your hearing aids yourself, as it could void your warranty.

Hearing aid repair require specialized tools and training, so let the professionals help you keep your devices operating at their best.

You can get help by:

• Contacting a bloom hearing hearing store near you and schedule an appointment for professional repair.
  
  
• Reaching out to bloom hearing customer support at 0800-522-422 to get information on repair options and warranty coverage.

Hearing aid whistling, also known as feedback, happens when sound that was meant to go into your ear canal jumps back into the microphone of hearing aid. This causes the sound to get reamplified, causing the whistling.

Most of the times it's normal and not a concern, such as when you take your hearing aids on and off or when someone hugs you and covers up your hearing aid.

However, it can sometimes be an issue with the hearing aids themselves.

Talk to your audiologist if you suspect a problem with your devices.

To troubleshoot it:

1. Check the fit. Make sure your hearing aids are are securely behind and/or in your ear. A loose fit allows sound to escape.
   
   
2. Reduce the volume. A higher volume makes whistling more likely. Lower it slightly to see if that helps.
   
   
3. Clean the hearing aid. Earwax buildup on the receiver, vents, and earmolds can lead to whistling.
   
   Clean these hearing aid parts regularly, according to your hearing aid manual. Do not submerge the hearing aid itself in water.
   
   
4. Don't cover your hearing aids. Things like hats, scarves, or pillows can create a barrier that traps sound and causes feedback.

Do your hearing aids no longer work?

Or, are you looking for a new brand, design, or more technology?

It might be time to invest in a replacement pair. 

Replacing hearing aids involves a handful of steps to ensure a smooth transition and your best hearing experience.

1. Evaluate your current hearing aids. Determine if your hearing aids no longer meeting your needs. Take note of frequent repairs, outdated features, or worsening hearing ability.
   
   
2. Schedule a hearing test. Visit a bloom hearing hearing store and audiologist for an updated hearing test to ensure new hearing aids — and which ones — will meet your needs.
   
   
3. Research and choose new devices. Read reviews, talk with your audiologist, and consider getting the most technology you can afford.
   
   Technology features like rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, and advanced noise reduction can take your hearing to the next level for your best hearing experience.
   
   Also consider your lifestyle and habits to determine if a Behind-the-ear (BTE) or In-the-ear (ITE) is ideal for you.
   
   
4. Trial period. Test your new hearing aids in your every day life during a trial period to ensure they meet your expectations.
   
   
5. Dispose of old hearing aids responsibly. Donate functional devices to hearing aid charities, or recycle them through your audiologist or a specialized program.
   
   
6. Follow up. Attend follow-up appointments to fine-tune the new devices so you can get the most out of them.