For individuals with hearing loss, hearing aids are essential for improved hearing and overall quality of life. However, like any technological investment, they require regular care and cleaning to ensure best possible performance. Routine maintenance can considerably extend their lifespan and ensure you’re hearing clearly. Let’s take a look at some measures you can take to maintain your hearing aids.
Routine cleaning and professional tune-ups
To keep your hearing aids functioning at their best, it’s essential to clean them on a daily or weekly schedule. The lifespan of your hearing aid will be increased, and the sound quality will be improved by performing a quick, easy cleaning routine.
Together with your regular at-home care, periodic professional maintenance by a hearing specialist is suggested. It’s similar to a dental visit where professional cleanings are important alongside your normal at-home cleaning and maintenance routine. A deep clean by a specialist is advised every six months or so. This not only keeps them in prime condition but also helps diagnose any potential issues early.
Basic daily care tips
The performance and longevity of your hearing aids can be considerably enhanced by utilizing these few basic tips. Avoid common obstacles by utilizing these tips:
- Protect From Temperature Extremes: Extreme weather conditions can damage your hearing aids. If it’s particularly cold or hot, leave your devices indoors instead of bringing them outside.
- Keep Them Free of Moisture and Chemicals: Your hearing aids can be compromised by excessive moisture. Before going for a swim, taking a shower, or using products like hair spray, make sure you remove them.
- Wash Hands Before Handling: Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids to avoid transferring oils or debris that could hinder their function.
- Use a Dehumidifier: Storing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier at night can help keep them dry and free of moisture that might cause malfunction.
- 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.
- Safe Storage: When not in use, keep your hearing aids stored in a protective case or in their charging unit to prevent exposure to dirt or physical damage.
Tools for proper hearing aid care
Taking care of your hearing aids requires the right tools. Think about picking up a hearing aid care kit, which could include the following:
- Hearing aid dryer: Helps eliminate moisture, especially after a long day of use.
- Wax pick or loop: To delicately clear out earwax and debris from tight spaces
- Cleaning brush: For getting rid of dust and wax accumulation.
- Slim tube cleaner: For removing debris trapped in the tubes.
- Microfiber cloth: Perfect for wiping down the surface of your hearing aids.
Your hearing specialist can guide you on the best tools and practices to keep your hearing aids in superb condition.
Step-by-step cleaning based on hearing aid type
There are some slight differences in how you clean different types of hearing aids. Two of the main types of hearing aids are Behind-the-ear (BTE) and In-The-Ear (ITE): Here are specific cleaning instructions for each type.
How to clean In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Remove Wax with a Loop: Use a wax loop or pick to thoroughly extract any remaining earwax.
- Brush Debris Away: Holding your hearing aid face down, gently brush away any wax or debris that has accumulated on the surface.
- Wipe the Exterior: Wipe down the whole outer surface with a microfiber cloth to eliminate any debris.
- Clear the Ventilation Tube: Push a slim cleaning tool through the vent tube to ensure there’s no obstruction.
How to clean Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids
- Clean the Microphone Openings: Free the microphone of debris by brushing its opening.
- Reassemble and Test: Reassemble and test your hearing aids after everything is dry.
- Clear the Tubing: Clean the outside of the tube with a cloth after pushing a pipe cleaner through it.
- Detach the Tubing: Begin by separating the tubing from the hearing aid itself.
- Soak the Ear Mold: Remove and soak the ear mold in warm, soapy water to release any accumulation. Utilize a tubing blower to get rid of excess moisture and dry with a clean cloth.
- Clean the Aid: Gently wipe off any dirt or wax while holding the device face down, paying specific attention to the portion around the receiver and microphone.
- Use a Wax Pick: Remove any stubborn wax with a loop or pick.
Effective hygiene can help prevent infections
Outside of the upkeep of your devices, it’s just as important to clean your ears. Excessive buildup of earwax can negatively affect the function of your hearing aid and cause your ears discomfort and possibly infection. These problems can usually 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 may have about hearing aids.
Your hearing aids will benefit you for many years with correct maintenance.