• Prepare a list of questions and concerns ahead of your first fitting, jot down the answers, and keep them in a handy place
• Prior to your purchase, ask if follow-up visits (and how many) are included in the cost of your hearing aids
• Make sure you understand how to use your hearing aids during your fitting, including basic functions, changing batteries, and maintenance
• Store your hearing aid manual in an easy-to-remember place, because it’s likely you’ll need to consult it from time to time
• Start slowly by wearing your hearing aid(s) a few hours a day
• Write down any bothersome situations to discuss on your next visit (e.g. struggling to hear conversations in restaurants or a running refrigerator that sounds far too loud) 

Issues with hearing aids can result in users not wearing them, thereby defeating their purpose. A study analyzing non-use in hearing aid owners revealed common issues. The top two self-reported problems were inadequate speech clarity and less than ideal fit/comfort. Other reported issues included:

• Poor sound quality
• Problems with insertion and removal
• Needed help to change batteries
• Manual dexterity challenges
• Difficulty adjusting volume controls
• Not working properly/broken
• Device required service
• Too short a battery life
• Caused voice to sound funny

Additional studies have found that working with a hearing care professional on practical topics such as hearing aid insertion and removal, hearing aid functions, and maintenance were key to improving new hearing aid users’ experiences. This research suggests that support and counseling may be more important than expensive modern technology in terms of increasing hearing aid satisfaction and use.

A frequent problem not mentioned above is buildup of excessive earwax. If earwax gets trapped in the small ports of your hearing aid device, this can result in the hearing aids not working properly. A little bit of TLC can help ensure optimal performance of your hearing aids and increase your satisfaction.

• Be careful when cleaning your ears : Ears are supposed to have wax. Never use a cotton swab because this can cause earwax to become impacted or damage your eardrum. To remove any visible dirt or wax, gently clean your outer ear with a washcloth daily. Make sure the washcloth isn’t too wet because you also don’t want excess water in your ears.
• Frequent cleaning: Check for dirt, grime, or earwax buildup. If you have behind-the-ear hearing aids, you can clean the ear molds with mild soap. Never use a hair dryer to dry ear molds because it’s too strong and can cause damage. Before putting ear molds back on your hearing aids, make sure they’re dry.
• Check batteries: Don’t wait until your batteries are dead to change them, because this could happen at an inopportune moment (e.g. at a concert or outing with friends). Most hearing aids now have low battery indicators, and some even have a voice that will let you know when the batteries are low. Most styles also can be synced to a smart phone app that will allow you to easily monitor your battery life.
• Keep hearing aids dry: At night, open the battery compartment to allow your hearing aids to air out. An inexpensive hearing aid dehumidifier can help keep moisture to a minimum and may prolong hearing aid life.