Hearing aids are crucial devices that improve your hearing and enhance your quality of life. They do, however, need to be regularly cleaned and properly maintained just like any technology does. Regular maintenance can significantly extend their lifespan and ensure you’re hearing clearly. In this guide, we’ll go through the steps to effectively clean and care for your hearing aids.
Regular cleaning and professional tuning
You should clean your hearing aids once a week or more. A quick cleaning routine doesn’t take very long but is really helpful in preserving sound quality and device lifespan.
Along with your regular at-home care, periodic professional maintenance by a hearing specialist is recommended. It’s comparable to a dental visit where professional cleanings are important alongside your regular at-home cleaning and maintenance routine. Typically, you are advised to bring your hearing aids in twice a year for a deep clean by a specialist. This helps to identify any issues your device might have and helps keep it in excellent working condition.
Basic everyday care tips
The performance and longevity of your hearing aids can be considerably increased by utilizing these few basic tips. Consider the following tips to avoid common hurdles:
- Keep Them Free of Moisture and Chemicals: Moisture and chemicals can be damaging to your hearing aids. Be sure to take them out before taking a shower, going for a swim, or using products like hairspray or perfume.
- Wash Hands Before Handling: Always clean your hands before handling your hearing aids to avoid transferring oils or debris that could hinder their function.
- Clean Before Bed: When you clean your hearing aids at night they will be totally dry by the time you get up and put them back in.
- Safe Storage: Prevent physical damage and exposure to dirt and debris by keeping your hearing aids in the charging unit or their protective case when they aren’t in use.
- Protect From Temperature Extremes: Avoid subjecting your hearing aids to extreme weather conditions. Leave your hearing aids inside your home if the weather is particularly hot and humid or cold and wet outside.
- Use a Dehumidifier: Storing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier while you sleep can help keep them dry and free of moisture that might cause malfunction.
Tools for proper hearing aid care
Taking care of your hearing aids requires the correct tools. Consider picking up a hearing aid care kit, which may include the following:
- Wax pick or loop: For gently removing earwax from small crevices.
- Cleaning brush: For cleaning excessive wax and dust.
- Microfiber cloth: An ideal tool for cleansing the outer surface of the hearing aid.
- Slim tube cleaner: For getting rid of debris trapped in the tubes.
- Hearing aid dryer: Helps get rid of moisture, particularly after a long day of use.
Our hearing specialists can help you keep your hearing aids in great working order by guiding you to the best tools and maintenance techniques.
Cleaning differs depending on the type of hearing aid
There are some minor differences in how you clean different types of hearing aids. Here are tailored cleaning instructions for two common types of hearing aids: In-The-Ear (ITE) and Behind-The-Ear (BTE).
How to clean In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Wipe the Exterior: Wipe down the whole outer surface with a microfiber cloth to clear away any debris.
- Remove Wax with a Loop: Any remaining earwax can be gently removed using the loop or pick.
- Brush Debris Away: Gently brush away any earwax or debris from the surface of your hearing aid while holding it face down.
- Clear the Ventilation Tube: Be certain that the vent tube is clear by pushing a thin cleaning tool through it.
How to clean Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids
- Clean the Microphone Openings: Clear the microphone of debris by brushing its opening.
- Use a Wax Pick: Eliminate any stubborn wax with a loop or pick.
- Reassemble and Test: After everything is dry, reassemble your hearing aids and test to make sure they’re working properly.
- Clean the Aid: Hold the hearing aid face down and carefully brush away any wax or dirt, particularly around the receiver and microphone.
- Clear the Tubing: Clean the exterior of the tube with a cloth after running a pipe cleaner through it.
- Detach the Tubing: Begin by detaching the tubing from the hearing aid itself.
- Soak the Ear Mold: Loosen any buildup on the ear molds by removing them and soaking them in warm soapy water. Use a tubing blower to get rid of excess moisture and dry with a clean cloth.
Effective hygiene can help prevent infections
Cleaning your ears is just as important as keeping your hearing aid clean. Excessive buildup of earwax can negatively affect the function of your hearing aid and cause your ears discomfort and possibly infection. These problems can typically be avoided by routinely cleaning your ears and hearing aids.
Schedule an appointment to get your hearing aids cleaned by a professional
Contact us right away if you would like to set up a consultation to discuss any concerns you may have about hearing aids.
Your hearing aids will benefit you for many years with proper maintenance.
