- There are many factors to consider when incorporating hearing aids into your everyday life, such as when to charge them, how often to clean them, and when you shouldn’t be wearing them.
- Although daily life with hearing aids looks different for everyone — depending on your lifestyle and hearing needs — there are a handful of general guidelines to keep in mind.
- Beyond hearing improvement, Bluetooth hearing aids give people an entirely new set of advantages, like making it easier to have phone call conversations.
- Have more questions? Feel free to enquire online or get in touch via 0800 737 662 to chat with your local Resonate audiologist today!
- Or read on in our Ultimate Guide to Hearing Aids.
Getting started: How to use hearing aids
Embarking on your journey with hearing aids starts with understanding the basics — the devices and their equipment. Typically, modern hearing aids are rechargeable and come with essential accessories like a charger, cleaning tools, and a storage case. To familiarise yourself with these items, find a quiet space to thoroughly test their features at your own pace.
Which hearing aid is left and which is right?
To identify which hearing aid goes in which ear, the industry standard is to use a blue marker for the left ear and a red marker for the right. These identifiers are typically located on the underside of each device’s body.
Setting up a charging station
Rechargeable hearing aids tend to last up to 24 hours on a full charge. For this reason, it’s recommended to charge them daily when you’re not wearing them, which is typically while you’re sleeping. Worried about overcharging? Don’t worry; this isn’t an issue.
When setting up a charging station, the perfect location will have three key qualities: it’ll be clean, dry, and near a power source. If there’s nowhere that comes to mind, it’s important to create a suitable space to ensure your hearing aids are always protected.
Charging station checklist:
- Clean
- Dry
- Near a power source
Daily life with hearing aids
Navigating life with hearing aids is a highly personal experience, shaped by your unique hearing needs and lifestyle preferences. But while it varies for each person, there are some fundamental guidelines to understand.
How long does it take to adjust to wearing hearing aids?
Getting used to hearing aids can span from days to months. It all comes down to the state of your hearing health and just how comfortable your brain and body are with change.
Learn more about wearing hearing aids for the first time.
Should I wear my hearing aids all the time?
Once you’ve adjusted to using hearing aids daily (which can take some time), it’s recommended to wear them throughout the day as much as possible unless advised otherwise. This frequent use helps to keep your brain active, which can benefit your overall well-being.
When should you not wear your hearing aids?
Although hearing aids are designed for everyday use, there are certain situations when it’s best to remove them. For the most part, it comes down to avoiding moisture, intensive movement (to avoid losing them), and loud environments.
When to avoid wearing hearing aids:
- In the shower or bath
- Swimming or in the water
- While getting your haircut
- When applying perfume, hair products, skincare, or sunscreen
- When gardening or doing activities with lots of movement
- Around loud noises, like mowing the lawn or fireworks
Using hearing aids in the morning/evening
Because standard hearing aids can’t get wet, those who prefer to shower in the morning often avoid wearing their devices until they’ve freshened up for the day. But unless you’re showering right away, it’s actually worth wearing your hearing aids first thing when you wake up — even if you have to remove them 30 minutes later.
The same principle applies to evening routines. If you tend to shower earlier in the evening, it’s still worth putting your hearing aids back in until you’re ready to sleep.
Getting out and about with hearing aids
There are two things to consider before leaving the house:
- Are your hearing aids charged enough?
- Where can you store the devices if you need to remove them?
A full charge will last up to 24 hours, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to recharge your devices during the day. Still, we recommend you take it with you when travelling and avoid plugging/unplugging the devices more than necessary.
As for storage, it’s best to use a protective case. Most devices will come with a case, but if you don’t have one with you, a sturdy glasses case or something similar would be useful. Just remember to avoid putting hearing aids in your pockets, as this is the easiest way to damage/lose them.
Taking breaks from hearing aids
Even though it’s recommended to wear hearing aids throughout the day, if you want to take a break, it’s perfectly fine to do so! It might be that sounds are becoming too intense or that your devices aren’t feeling comfy, especially in the early days when they can feel itchy — whatever the reason, it’s okay to take a break.
For how long should you take a break from hearing aids?
Our audiologists recommend giving yourself 30 minutes up to an hour if needed, providing enough time to rest and recoup.
Removing hearing aids before sleeping
Unless you have severe hearing loss that requires additional support measures, you shouldn’t be sleeping with hearing aids in — not even during quick naps. So it’s always best to take them off if you’re lying down for a rest, no matter how long you plan on sleeping for.
Hearing aid maintenance & care
Some people will clean their hearing aids once a day, while others will prefer to do this once a week. Either is fine; what’s most important is that you keep it up regularly!
How to clean your hearing aids
Our audiologists recommend using a tissue and/or the little brush that’s provided to clean your devices. Using these items, gently brush away any wax on the dome or ear mould. This task is often more manageable in the mornings, as the wax will be more dry and easier to remove.
Changing out the ear wax filter
Hearing aids also have an ear wax filter, which needs changing out once a month. This is a simple task that you can do at home. If you’re ever having difficulties with hearing, checking the filter is a great place to start, along with your hearing aid’s battery life.
Looking for hearing aid support in New Zealand
We understand that life with hearing aids isn’t straightforward — it’s full of questions, learning, and adjusting. If you want support, feel free to contact your local Resonate studio. We’re happy to help!
Our studios are located all across New Zealand, which you can visit at any time. You can also call us at 0800 737 662, email via hello@resonatehealth.co.nz or book an appointment online.
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