Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Hearing Aids

Man cleaning his hearing aid.

Hearing aids are crucial devices that improve your hearing and enhance your quality of life. However, like any technological investment, they require regular care and cleaning to ensure best possible performance. Routine 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 tune-ups

To keep your hearing aids working at their best, daily or weekly cleaning is essential. A quick cleaning routine doesn’t take much time but goes a long way in preserving sound quality and device longevity.

Along with your regular at-home care, periodic professional maintenance by a hearing specialist is suggested. Think of it like visiting the dentist, while brushing and flossing help, professional cleanings ensure the best results. A deep clean by a professional is recommended every six months or so. This helps to identify any problems your device may have and helps keep it in prime working condition.

Simple care guidelines for daily use

Taking a few basic precautions can significantly increase the lifespan and performance of your hearing aids. Consider the following guidelines to avoid common pitfalls:

Use a Dehumidifier: If it’s very humid, a dehumidifier can be used to keep the moisture away from your hearing aids.
Clean Before Bed: Cleaning your hearing aids before bed gives them a chance to dry completely before you wear them again in the morning.
Before Handling, Clean Your Hands: Always clean your hands before handling your hearing aids to avoid transferring oils or debris that could interfere with their function.
Protect From Temperature Extremes: Severe weather conditions can damage your hearing aids. Leave your hearing aids in the house if the weather is particularly hot and humid or cold and wet outside.
Safe Storage: When not in use, keep your hearing aids stored in a protective case or in their charger to prevent exposure to dirt or physical damage.
Keep Them Free of Moisture and Chemicals: Moisture and chemicals can be detrimental to your hearing aids. Before going for a swim, showering, or using products like hair spray, make sure you remove them.

Tools for proper hearing aid care

You will need the appropriate tools to properly maintain your hearing aids. Think about investing in a hearing aid care kit, which could include the following:

Slim tube cleaner: To remove any debris stuck in the hearing aid tubes.
Hearing aid dryer: Dries any moisture accumulated after using the device all day.
Wax pick or loop: For delicately cleaning out earwax from small crevices.
Microfiber cloth: An ideal tool for cleansing the outer surface of the hearing aid.
Cleaning brush: For cleaning excessive wax and dust.

Your hearing specialist can guide you on the best tools and techniques to keep your hearing aids in superb condition.

Step-by-step cleaning based on hearing aid type

There are some minor differences in how you clean different models of hearing aids. Here are customized cleaning guidelines 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: Use a soft microfiber cloth to clean the entire outer surface, removing any residue.
Brush Debris Away: Holding your hearing aid face down, carefully brush away any debris or wax that has collected on the surface.
Clear the Ventilation Tube: Push a slim cleaning tool through the vent tube to ensure there’s no blockage.
Remove Wax with a Loop: Use a wax loop or pick to carefully extract any remaining earwax.

Cleaning Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids

Clean the Aid: Gently wipe away any dirt or wax while holding the device face down, paying particular attention to the portion around the receiver and microphone.
Detach the Tubing: Begin by separating the tubing from the hearing aid itself.
Clean the Microphone Openings: Brush the opening of the microphone to ensure they’re clear of debris.
Reassemble and Test: Reassemble and test your hearing aids after everything dries.
Soak the Ear Mold: Release any accumulation on the ear molds by removing them and soaking them in warm soapy water. Eliminate any excess moisture with a tubing blower and finish with a dry cloth.
Use a Wax Pick: Remove any stubborn wax with a loop or pick.
Clear the Tubing: Run a pipe cleaner through the tubing to eliminate wax or moisture, then clean the outside with a cloth.

Proper hygiene can help prevent infections

Keeping your ears clean is just as important as cleaning your hearing aid. Excessive accumulation of earwax can negatively impact the function of your hearing aid and cause your ears discomfort and potentially infection. Routinely cleaning your ears and hearing aids will help decrease the risk of these problems.

Set up a professional hearing aid cleaning

Professional maintenance is key to ensuring your hearing aids continue to serve you well for years to come.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment