Our customers love the convenience of rechargeable hearing aids. Our rechargeable devices don’t require batteries, which saves you the headache of constantly purchasing replacements.
Additionally, customers with dexterity or vision issues often find rechargeable devices convenient since hearing aid batteries are usually very small and may be difficult to place in the battery door.
When your rechargeable devices have a low charge, you can simply plug them in or place them in the included charging base—depending on the model—and they will reach a full charge in 2-3 hours.
However, rechargeable devices do require cleaning and maintenance to continue performing well. If your hearing aids and charging station are not cleaned regularly, it is possible for corrosion to build up either on the device or the charging station itself.
What is Corrosion and Why Does it Happen?
Corrosion is a natural process of decay caused by a chemical reaction—most often on the surface of metal.
In rechargeable hearing devices, corrosion can occur on the metal charging contacts on the hearing aid or the metal charging contacts in the charging station. Corrosion buildup can be caused by exposure to moisture.
If enough corrosion builds up, the metal on the hearing device and the metal on the charging station may not come into contact, meaning your hearing aid won’t charge when placed in the charger.
Oftentimes, this can be fixed with a simple cleaning.
How to Clean Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Basic maintenance tips to prevent corrosion:
In addition to keeping your tubes and domes clean, remember to care for the hearing aid itself on a regular basis.
- Remove the tube from the hearing aid.
- Use the small brush attached to the cleaning filament (provided with your hearing aid) to brush around the mic and the base of the hearing aid.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior of the hearing aid.
To prevent corrosion buildup, cleaning the base of the hearing aid and charging contacts is especially important.
In addition, keep your hearing aids away from moisture whenever possible.
Always store your hearing devices in a dry area when you are not wearing them. Do not store hearing devices in an area like the bathroom or on the kitchen counter, where they may be exposed to water, steam, or other forms of moisture.
What Should I Do if Corrosion Has Already Occurred?
If you can already see corrosion on your hearing aid or if the device is not charging, clean the bottom of the hearing aid as described above.
Also, follow these steps:
- Clean the charging contacts on the hearing aid and remove any corrosion you see with an alcohol swab or Q-tip.
- Clean the charging contacts in the charging station with an alcohol swab or Q-tip, making sure the contacts are clear of corrosion before charging the device.
- Once you have cleaned both the hearing aid and the charging station, charge your hearing aid for 2-3 hours.
If you have cleared the corrosion from the device and the hearing aid still does not charge successfully and/or is still not working, you can call our support line, 1- 888-570-2740 for assistance.
As with all hearing devices, cleaning and maintenance is important in keeping your rechargeable hearing aids in working order. Regular cleaning can also help extend the life of the device.
As mentioned above, in addition to cleaning the hearing aid body and charging contacts, the tubes and domes of any hearing aid need to be cleaned routinely, and the tubes and domes will need to be replaced every 2-3 months for optimal performance.
For more information on appropriate cleaning practices for your hearing aid tubes, watch our video, How to Clean Your Tubes: