If you wear hearing aids, it is important to know how to clean your clean hearing aids for hygiene and proper functioning. If they are not clean, they can become clogged and stop working properly. In this blog post, we will discuss how to clean your hearing aids. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to keep your hearing aids in good condition, read on!
Regular maintenance and cleanings will ensure the life of your hearing aids while also keeping them in excellent working order. Would you buy a new automobile and then never wash it or change the oil? Maintaining your hearing aids in good operating condition is also essential. You’ve made an important investment; here are some suggestions for caring for it.
Make a point of reading your hearing aid manual and visiting your provider on a regular basis.
Before you clean your hearing aids on your own, make sure to thoroughly read the manual and talk to your hearing healthcare professional. Never do anything to clean your hearing aids that the handbook or your provider forbids. For thorough cleaning and check-up, schedule an appointment with your provider at least once every six months to a year. If wax buildup is causing difficulties, you may need more frequent professional cleanings.
Hearing Aid Cleaning Tools
You’ll need the appropriate tools for everyday at-home maintenance. The most frequent cleaning instruments for hearing aids are:
- A Soft, dry, clean cloth
- A Wax remover brush
- Vent cleaner
- Wax pick/wire loop
A hearing aid cleaning kit that includes all of the aforementioned instruments can be found through your doctor, online, or in many places. You may also buy multi-tools that combine several instruments into one. Here are a few more things to clean your hearing aids with:
- A soft-bristled toothbrush may be used to remove wax.
- Disinfectant wipes can be used in place of a cloth, but they should only be used with hearing aids if they are specifically designed for this purpose.
For cleaning the earmolds of in-the-ear hearing aids, an alcohol-free solution is preferable, but be careful to use one developed particularly for hearing aids.
Warning:
The microphone and receiver are some of your hearing aid’s most delicate components, owing to their small size. Preventing accidental breakage or damage while cleaning your hearing aid is easier said than done. If you’re not sure how to clean your particular type of hearing aid, ask your doctor for instructions. However, if there are a few things you should know:
- It’s very easy to damage the delicate electronics in a hearing aid device if it gets water on it.
- Do not use wipes or chemical solutions that are not intended to be used with hearing aids.
- Don’t put anything into the microphone or receiver ports, and keep wax and grime out of the opening.
How Often Should I Clean My Hearing Aids
Daily cleaning activities may be done, while others may be accomplished once a week.
Daily Cleaning
Every morning, follow these steps. Because the hearing aid has had time to dry overnight, wax and build-up are simpler to remove in the morning.
- To clean the microphone cover, carefully brush it.
- With a light, damp cloth, clean the whole hearing aid.
Weekly Cleaning
Once or twice a week, spend a bit longer carefully removing any extra grime and gunk.
- Use a wax pick/wire loop to remove any stubborn deposits or wax build-up; do not use the pick near the microphone or receiver ports.
- Check and replace any worn wax guards on models with wax guards as needed.
How to Clean Your Hearing Aids
- When cleaning the hearing aid’s ports and holes, turn it upside down; any debris dislodged will fall out rather than in.
- At night, open the battery compartment to extend the battery’s life and allow the compartment to breathe.
- When replacing the battery, clean the battery compartment.
How to Clean Your ITE Hearing Aid
To clean your ITE hearing aid, follow these instructions.
- Brush the receiver, microphone cover, and vent openings gently to remove wax or debris.
- Remove stubborn material from the air vent with a wax pick or use a wire loop.
- For larger vents, clean the opening on either side of each vent carefully in both directions.
- Use a gentle cloth to clean the entire hearing aid.
Warning: Do not use water, alcohol, or any non-chemical cleaning agent to clean your ITE hearing aid.
How to Clean Your BTE Hearing Aid
Follow these instructions to clean your BTE hearing aid:
- Remove any residual wax, if necessary. Gently clean the hearing aid.
- Remove the earmold from the hook for cleaning.
- Clean the earmold with a brush, then remove any stubborn detritus using the wax pick/wire loop.
- Cleaning your hearing aids and earmolds should be done gently.
The earmold and tubing can be washed with warm water and soap as needed. Before reattaching the hearing aid, allow the earmold and tube to dry fully. If you use alcoholic or chemical solutions on your earmold, make sure they are specifically made for them.
Tips to Care for Your Hearing Aids
- Get the essential cleaning tools: For at-home cleaning, a wax pick and a brush are required. Earwax can build up at the edge of a hearing aid’s sound outlet, causing muffled sound or feedback ( whistling ). It might cause damage to the receiver if left long enough. Gently clear earwax away with the pick and brush.
- Practice good hygiene: Begin by washing your hands well before cleaning your hearing aids. Leave your hearing aids out during your hygiene routine so they aren’t damaged by water or soap. After you’ve washed your face and hair, put your hearing aids back in.
- At the end of the day, clean your hearing aids: Before going to bed, clean your hearing aids so that they have a few hours to breathe out before you put them back in. Wipes that contain chemicals or alcohol should be avoided because they might harm the equipment.
- Extreme heat or extreme cold should be avoided: If the temperature is freezing and you remove your hearing aids, leave them inside the house rather than keeping them in your coat pocket. Similarly, if you take your hearing aids off to jump in the pool on the hottest day of summer.
- If water gets to it: To help the water evaporate more quickly, blow out the tube with a bulb blower.
When Should you see a Specialist?
Hearing aids should be cleaned by a professional at least once per month as directed by your hearing care provider. They have vacuums with attachments that specialize in removing wax from difficult-to-reach places, and they understand how to clean vents, windscreens, microphone screens, and receivers safely.
If you’re not sure how to clean your hearing aids or if you need help, contact your hearing care professional for assistance. Our directory of consumer-rated audiologists and hearing care clinics can help you find an audiologist or hearing treatment expert near you if you require assistance locating one.
Also, read The Best Electronic Ear Plugs (For Shooting, With Bluetooth & More) – Reviews, How to Clean Oticon Hearing Aid.
