Your hearing aids are an investment in your quality of life, to ensure that they stay in good working order, regular cleaning and maintenance is necessary. As an audiologist, it is very important to me that my patients are getting the most benefit from their hearing aids and not find them a nuisance or a hassle.
By developing a habit of routine cleaning, we are able to keep your hearing aids working their best for years to come. I have created this guide to help my patients get in the habit of keeping their aids well-maintained.
A few tips first:
- Have the proper tools for the job: A pick for wax and a brush are essential for cleaning. Some devices even come with a multi-tool with both of these and a few other handy tools for things like changing your batteries.
- Don’t put your hearing aids in until you’ve finished getting ready for the day: Water and chemicals can do a number on these tiny, sophisticated devices. Leave them out when you shower or wash your face and put them in after using hair products.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: If you take your hearing aids out on a hot day to enjoy the pool or on a very cold day to shovel snow, make sure you leave your hearing aids inside where they won’t be damaged by the extreme temperatures.
- Clean your hearing aids before bedtime over a soft surface: It is also fine to clean them before you put them in for the day, but by cleaning them at night, they have several hours to air out before use.
- Remove the batteries at night and keep the compartment open to promote ventilation.
How to Clean in the Ear Hearing Aids
- Use a dry cloth wipe (usually included with your hearing aid) to clean the surface of your hearing aid of wax and buildup. Do not use water, cleaning fluids, solvents, or alcohol to clean your device as this could damage it.
- Use a brush to clear wax from around the sound outlet and ventilation openings by inserting the brush and twisting.
- Check the wax filter to see if it needs replacement.
For a video on how to clean in the ear aids, see Oticon’s guide.
How to Clean Behind the Ear Hearing Aids
- Wipe down the speaker unit and shell with a dry cloth. Do not use water, cleaning fluids, solvents, or alcohol to clean your device as this could damage it. Also, do not clean the silicone tips that cover the speaker unit as they should be replaced monthly.
- If your device has an earmold, wipe it down with a dry cloth.
- Clean the thin clear tube with a bulb blower or brush (whatever was provided with your purchase) if you notice any blockages or sounds are distorted.
- Check the wax filter to see if it needs replacement.
For a video on how to clean behind the ear aids, see Oticon’s guide.
If you are experiencing any issues with your hearing aids, see An Audiologist’s Tips for Troubleshooting Common Hearing Aid Problems or contact one of the experts at Scottsdale ENT today.
