How to Look After Your Hearing Aids in Preparation for Christmas

I wrote this blogpost because, this morning, my right hearing aid started bleeping at me. A quick trip to Google, search the symptoms (I was concerned it might need a service) but it transpired that all it needed was a cleaning of the microphones. 

However, this led me to think about all our readers who have hearing aids and what we will need to do to ensure our hearing aids don't let us down over Christmas or the New Year.

The run-up to Christmas is a joyful, bustling time filled with music, conversation, family gatherings, carol services and festive nights out. If you use hearing aids, the last thing you need is for them to fail just when the festive season reaches its peak. A little preparation now can help you enjoy every conversation, every carol and every Christmas film without interruption.

Here’s how to keep your hearing aids in excellent working order as we head towards the busiest social season of the year.

Keep on Top of Cleaning

Winter weather, central heating, scarves and hats can all trap moisture and dust around your hearing aids. A quick daily clean can make all the difference.

Wipe the casing with a soft, dry cloth.

Use a small cleaning brush to remove wax from the microphone ports and receivers.

Check your domes or moulds for blockages.

Never use water, alcohol wipes or household cleaners, as these can damage components.

A weekly deeper clean, following your manufacturer’s guidance, helps reduce the risk of Christmas-morning surprises.

Check Your Batteries or Charging Case

Few things are more frustrating than a silent hearing aid during a party. Make sure you’re fully stocked ahead of time.

For traditional batteries:

Buy an extra pack now, before the seasonal rush. Or if you have an NHS hearing aid, order your batteries from your NHS audiologist or Doctor's surgery, well before Christmas.

Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat sources.

For rechargeable aids:

Check your charging case is working properly.

Give the case a thorough wipe to remove any dust from the charging contacts.

Bring your charger if you’re staying with friends or family over the holidays.

Protect Against Moisture

Cold-to-warm temperature changes (walking in from frosty air into a heated living room) can cause condensation, which affects performance.

Consider using a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying pot overnight.

If you’re caught in rain or sleet, dry the exterior with a soft cloth as soon as you get indoors.

Avoid wearing them while using hairspray or scented products, do these before putting your aids in.

Check for Fit and Comfort

Scarves, hats, woolly jumpers and giant Christmas jumpers can all tug at behind-the-ear devices.

Make sure your tubing isn’t cracked or stiff.

Ensure domes or moulds still fit snugly and comfortably.

If you’ve noticed any whistling, feedback or changes to fit, now’s the perfect time to book a quick check with your audiologist before Christmas.

Update Any Bluetooth or App Settings

With so many festive events on the horizon, you might want to tweak your sound settings.

Update your hearing aid’s smartphone app if applicable.

Check connection settings for watching Christmas films on TV or tablets.

Save custom programmes for noisy environments such as pubs, parties or Christmas markets.

A few minutes of prep can help you glide through the season with minimal fiddling.

Prepare a Travel Kit

If you’re visiting family or going away for Christmas, pack a small kit so you’re never caught out.

Include:

Spare batteries or the charging cable

Cleaning brush and wipes

Drying pot or dehumidifier tub (travel-sized ones exist)

Spare domes or wax guards

Pop it all in a small pouch inside your overnight bag and you’re sorted.

Book a Pre-Christmas Check-Up (If Needed)

If you’ve noticed reduced clarity, muffled sound, crackling or poor battery performance, it may be worth booking a quick maintenance appointment. Audiology departments and hearing aid providers often get busy in December, so earlier is better.

Enjoy a Clear, Confident Christmas

Well-maintained hearing aids ensure you don’t miss a single festive moment, whether that's the punchline of a cracker joke, the children singing at the school nativity, or a toast around the dinner table.

A little care now means a smoother, more enjoyable Christmas season where you can focus on what matters: connection, conversation and celebration.

Give the Gift of Improved Hearing This Christmas

Christmas is all about togetherness, bustling family gatherings, lively parties, favourite films on telly, and chatting with loved ones you may not see often. 

It’s also, quite surprisingly, one of the key times of year when people realise they may be struggling with their hearing.

If you’ve ever found yourself nudging the TV volume higher than everyone else prefers, or if a festive party leaves you smiling and nodding through conversations you can’t quite catch, you’re certainly not alone. 

Many people first notice hearing changes during the louder, busier days of December. And at family gatherings, having to ask people to repeat themselves can feel frustrating or even a little embarrassing.

This Christmas, why not consider giving someone, or yourself, a gift that genuinely improves quality of life: hearing support.

Why Christmas Makes Hearing Difficulties More Noticeable

1. The telly test

Christmas films, the King’s Speech, and a marathon of festive specials often highlight changes in hearing. If you need the volume far louder than everyone else, it’s worth checking whether it’s more than just preference.

2. Seasonal socialising

Parties, dinners, and pub meet-ups come with background music, clinking glasses, and overlapping conversations. If deciphering speech becomes hard work, that’s a sign worth paying attention to.

3. Family gatherings

Large dining tables, excited children, and multiple conversations at once can strain hearing. Asking people to repeat themselves can feel awkward, but it’s a very common experience for those with early hearing loss.

The Practical, Life-Changing Gift: Hearing Support Vouchers

Instead of guessing at presents or buying yet another novelty jumper, you can give someone something that truly matters: the opportunity to improve their hearing.

Many audiology clinics and hearing centres offer hearing aid vouchers, which can be used towards:

A professional hearing test

Hearing aids tailored to the individual

Assistive listening devices

Follow-up checks or adjustments

Accessories such as rechargeable batteries or cleaning tools

This type of gift can be a gentle, supportive way to help someone take the first step. It’s not intrusive or patronising – it simply gives them the means to explore better hearing when they’re ready.

Why This Makes a Brilliant Christmas Gift

It’s thoughtful

You’re giving someone the chance to enjoy clearer conversations, more relaxed social events, and everyday confidence.

It’s long-lasting

Many gifts get forgotten by New Year. Improved hearing transforms daily life for years to come.

It helps keep people connected

Hearing changes can feel isolating. This gift offers connection, clarity, and comfort.

It can be life-enhancing

Better hearing supports mental wellbeing, reduces strain on relationships, and helps people stay active and engaged.

How to Give Hearing Aid Vouchers

Contact local independent audiologists or major high-street service providers

Ask whether they offer gift vouchers for hearing tests or hearing aids

Present the voucher in a festive card explaining that you want them to enjoy every conversation without strain

Reassure them it’s entirely up to them when and how they use it

A Christmas Filled with Clearer Conversations

Whether it’s for a parent who turns the telly up too high, a partner who struggles in noisy restaurants, or even a gift to yourself, hearing support is a thoughtful and genuinely helpful present.

Christmas is about connecting with the people we love. Giving the gift of improved hearing helps make every laugh, every joke, and every shared story a little clearer – not just on Christmas Day, but all year long.

In closing, let me point out that getting a hearing aid was probably one of the best decisions that I have made in recent years.