For individuals who have hearing loss, hearing aids are essential for better hearing and general quality of life. They do, however, need to be regularly cleaned and correctly maintained just like any technology does. Routine maintenance can considerably increase their lifespan and ensure you’re hearing clearly. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to properly clean and care for your hearing aids.
Keeping your hearing aids clean and getting professional tune-ups
You should clean your hearing aids once a week or more. A quick cleaning routine doesn’t take much time but is really helpful in maintaining sound quality and device lifespan.
In addition to your regular at-home care, periodic professional maintenance by a hearing professional is advised. It’s similar to a dental visit where professional cleanings are important alongside your normal at-home cleaning and maintenance routine. Usually, you are advised to bring your hearing aids in twice a year for a deep clean by a specialist. This not only keeps them in prime condition but also helps diagnose any potential issues early.
Basic everyday care tips
The performance and longevity of your hearing aids can be substantially increased by using these few basic tips. Avoid common hurdles by implementing these tips:
- Wash Hands Before Handling: Skin oils and debris can impact the function of your hearing aids so be certain you clean and dry your hands before handling them.
- Safe Storage: When they’re not being used, keep your hearing aids stored in a protective case or in their charger to avoid exposure to dirt or physical damage.
- Clean Before Bed: When you clean your hearing aids at night they will be totally dry by the time you wake up and put them back in.
- Keep Them Dry and Chemical-Free: Moisture and chemicals can be damaging to your hearing aids. Before swimming, taking a shower, or using products like hair spray, make sure you remove them.
- Use a Dehumidifier: If it’s really humid, a dehumidifier can be utilized to keep the moisture away from your hearing aids.
- Protect From Temperature Extremes: Avoid exposing your hearing aids to extreme weather conditions. Leave your hearing aids in the house if the weather is particularly hot and humid or cold and wet outside.
Hearing aid care tools
Maintaining your hearing aids requires the right tools. Here are some of the things you can expect to find in a hearing aid care kit:
- Microfiber cloth: An ideal tool for cleaning the outer surface of the hearing aid.
- Wax pick or loop: For gently cleaning out earwax from small crevices.
- Slim tube cleaner: For the removal of debris trapped in the tubes.
- Cleaning brush: For eliminating dust and wax accumulation.
- Hearing aid dryer: Dries any moisture accumulated after using the device all day.
Your hearing specialist can guide you on the right tools and practices to keep your hearing aids in excellent condition.
Cleaning differs depending on the type of hearing aid
There are some minor differences in how you clean different models of hearing aids. Two of the main types of hearing aids are Behind-the-ear (BTE) and In-The-Ear (ITE): Here are precise cleaning instructions for each type.
Cleaning In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Brush Debris Away: Holding your hearing aid face down, carefully brush away any debris or wax that has accumulated on the surface.
- Wipe the Exterior: Wipe down the entire outer surface with a microfiber cloth to eliminate any residue.
- Clear the Ventilation Tube: Push a thin cleaning tool through the vent tube to ensure there’s no obstruction.
- Remove Wax with a Loop: Any remaining earwax can be gently extracted using the loop or pick.
How to clean Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids
- Use a Wax Pick: Use a loop pick to eliminate any stubborn wax that may remain.
- Soak the Ear Mold: Release any accumulation on the ear molds by removing them and soaking them in warm soapy water. Use a tubing blower to remove excess moisture and dry with a clean cloth.
- Reassemble and Test: After everything is dry, reassemble your hearing aids and test to make sure they’re working correctly.
- Clean the Aid: Position the hearing aid face down and gently brush away any dirt or wax, especially around the receiver and microphone.
- Detach the Tubing: Begin by separating the tubing from the hearing aid itself.
- Clean the Microphone Openings: Brush the microphone openings to ensure they’re free of debris.
- Clear the Tubing: Run a pipe cleaner through the tubing to remove wax or moisture, then wipe the outside with a cloth.
Proper hygiene can help you avoid infections
Beyond the upkeep of your devices, it’s equally important to clean your ears. Excessive buildup of earwax can negatively impact the functionality of your hearing aid and cause your ears discomfort and potentially infection. These issues can typically be avoided by regularly cleaning your ears and hearing aids.
Set up a professional hearing aid cleaning
Contact us today if you would like to schedule a consultation to talk about any concerns you might have about hearing aids.
Your hearing aids will benefit you for many years with proper maintenance.
