Some people are born deaf, while others lose their hearing ability over time. Hearing aids can be used by deaf people who can hear loud sounds or those that are simply hard of hearing. These devices work by amplifying sound signals sent to the ear, making it easier for people with hearing impairment to pick up the signals and hear the sounds being produced. 

Many new users of hearing aids make emergency visits to the offices of their audiologists complaining about inoperative devices. If your audiologist has established that you need to wear hearing aids so you can improve your hearing ability, you'll need to learn how to keep the devices in good working order in order to avoid facing such emergency situations. Here are some useful practices you can adapt in that regard.

1. Keep them clean. Some people think that they are losing their hearing ability when they simply have too much ear wax blocking sound signals from reaching the eardrum. Excessive ear wax can also create problems for people with hearing aids. The sound outlets of your hearing devices can become clogged up with ear wax and other forms of dirt and debris due to normal use, making it difficult for sound to come out of the devices into the eardrum through the ear. You'll need to regularly clean the sound outlets to keep them free of wax and other forms of dirt buildup. You can use a wax pick and a dry, lint-free soft cloth or small wax brush to perform the cleaning. Do not clean with water, alcohol, or other cleaning solvents that can get into your hearing aids and cause damage.
2. Turn them off when not in use. All hearing aids get their power from batteries. As long as the devices are turned on, the batteries get drained. For that reason, it is important to turn off your hearing aids when they are not being used. Turn off your hearing device before you go to bed. Also, remember to turn them off when you go swimming or to the shower — this not only helps extend battery life but also prevent water damage. Be sure to keep your hearing aids in a dry, cool place and away from heat and moisture when you are not using them.

It is not unusual for hearing aids to sometimes develop problems despite the user's best efforts to care for them, so don't hesitate to see your audiologist if your hearing devices stop working properly at any time.