How to Clean Hearing Aids the Right Way
One of the most common questions we receive from patients is whether their hearing aids need to be cleaned daily. All sorts of things can build up on your hearing aids throughout the day, including earwax, dust, dirt, skin cells, and debris. To keep your hearing aids from getting clogged, they must be cleaned daily. If you have hearing aids that have a wax trap or guard, you can ask our hearing care professionals how often they should be replaced and how.
At Puget Sound Hearing Aid & Audiology, we offer comprehensive hearing aid services, including professional device fittings, hearing aid repair, and hearing aid replacement throughout Seattle, WA and the surrounding areas. If you have hearing aids but don’t know how to clean them properly, our hearing care professionals are here to help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
The Importance of Maintaining Your New Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are expensive devices. To keep them functioning correctly, you should know how to care for and keep them clean. Some reasons it’s essential to keep up with hearing aid cleaning and maintenance include the following:
- Debris and earwax can build up in your ear canal, possibly causing irritation or infection.
- Keeping them properly maintained prevents having to repair or replace them as often.
- Using special tools to clean your hearing aids, including wax loops or picks, brushes, and earmold tubing blowers, will keep them in good condition.
- The lifespan of your devices is prolonged with regular cleaning and maintenance.
- Following manufacturer recommendations will prevent any unintentional damage caused by improperly cleaning and maintaining them, ensuring you don’t void your hearing aid warranty.
- Having your devices professionally cleaned is recommended for the best results.
Common Tools Used to Clean Hearing Aids
A variety of products are available to clean and maintain your hearing aids properly. However, it’s important to ask your hearing care professional how to clean your specific devices when you pick them up. Some of the most common hearing aid cleaning tools include:
- Hearing aid brush
- Slim tube cleaning tool
- Earmold tubing blower
- NanoClean hearing aid cleaners (similar to pipe cleaners)
- Disinfectant spray
- Microfiber cloth
- Hearing aid dryers
- Wax loops
Cleaning Hearing Aids the Right Way
Before you complete any cleaning or maintenance on your hearing aids, it’s important to read the manual and take note of any tools or procedures specific to your device. Some hearing aids include the cleaning kit that should be used, while others include different styles of wax filters that can be replaced as needed. Some helpful tips for cleaning your hearing aids include:
- Start a regular cleaning schedule that includes wiping down your hearing aids daily and brushing the microphone cover. Plan to complete a full cleaning once per week.
- Avoid exposing your hearing aids to moisture and humidity while cleaning them, which can damage the device’s internal electronics.
- Store your hearing aids in a safe location when you’re not using them. Don’t store your devices in a high-moisture room like the bathroom.
- Remove your device’s battery at night to help extend the life of the battery and air out its compartment.
- Avoid exposing your devices to extreme heat or cold temperatures.
- Use the proper cleaning supplies and tools. Never use a cleaning solution or wipe that isn’t intended for hearing aids.
- Do not insert anything into the receiver openings or microphone.
- Carefully follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. Each hearing aid manufacturer has specific requirements to care for their hearing aids properly.
Get in Touch with Our Hearing Professionals Today
If you have hearing aids, it’s essential to know how to clean them properly and how often. Our hearing care professionals are happy to assist, whether you need us to show you how to clean your hearing aids or help you purchase the right cleaning tools and products. When it comes to your hearing, there’s no reason to settle for less than the highest quality health care.
The Puget Sound Hearing Aid & Audiology team has years of experience providing comprehensive audiology services for patients located throughout Seattle, WA, and the surrounding areas. Our hearing care professionals are passionate about improving the quality of life of all their patients, whether you need hearing aid repair, hearing aid replacement, or assistance with other hearing aid problems you’re experiencing. Contact us today to learn more, or schedule an appointment to take the first step towards better hearing.
