Hearing aids are a significant investment in time and money. Making sure they are well taken care of will help both prolong their lifespan and ensure you get the most benefit out of them as possible.
Below is a guide to help you clean and care for your valuable communication devices.
This outline provides you with some basics for caring for your hearing aid, but you should make sure to read your hearing aid manual carefully in case your particular device requires special care. Make sure you always follow your audiologist’s instructions for how to best care for your devices. Visit us eat least very six months for a clean and check appointment so we can perform routine maintenance that will lengthen the lifespan of your hearing aids.
General Tips
You should always handle your hearing aid carefully. When inserting or removing the devices, lean over a table or bed. This reduces the likelihood of damaging the device if they slip as you’ve shortened the fall distance.
If possible, avoid high temperatures and excess moisture.
Always take your hearing aids out of your ears before showering, swimming and using a hair dryer.
Cleaning Tools
You need the right equipment to keep your devices clean. Common cleaning tools are:
- Wax removal brush
- Soft, dry cloth
- Wax pick/wire loop
- Vent cleaner (in the ear hearing aids)
If you need to clean your devices and don’t have the above equipment on hand, you can use:
- A soft bristle child’s toothbrush to remove wax
- Disinfectant wipes only if they are made for hearing aids
- Alcohol-free cleaner for the earmolds, again only if made for hearing aids
Daily Cleaning
Every day you should perform the following routine:
- Brush the microphone to remove debris.
- Wipe down the entire hearing aid with a soft cloth.
- Brush or pick wax off the end of the aid that goes into your ear.
Monthly Cleaning
Once a month, you should spend a little more time detailing your hearing aids.:
- Use a wax pick/wire loop to remove stubborn deposits of wax buildup. Do not use the pick around the microphone or receiver.
- Check and replace the wax guard as needed.
- For over the ear aids, change the domes on the ends of the wires.
Additional Steps for In the Ear Hearing Aids
In the ear hearing aids require additional cleaning, as they contain a vent tube. Follow these steps when cleaning your device:
- Use the wax pick to remove wax from the vent of the hearing aid.
- Insert the vent cleaning tool into the vent from the face of the aid to push any obstruction out of the vent.
For more information or detailed instructions for cleaning and maintaining your specific devices, call the professionals at Valley Audiology today.
