How to Properly Clean and Store Your Hearing Aids

If you’re dealing with hearing loss and currently use or plan to use hearing aids, it’s crucial to understand the importance of proper maintenance. Hearing aids need regular care and appropriate handling to ensure their continued functionality. Since you’ll be relying on them daily, it becomes vital to keep them in optimal condition. By adhering to the necessary maintenance routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids consistently perform at their best, providing you with the listening experience you depend on.

Although hearing aids are not typically subjected to rough activities, they are exposed to significant amounts of moisture and earwax during regular use. While this exposure may not necessarily cause them to break, it is crucial to ensure proper cleaning to prevent blockages and potential damage.

Getting Your Tools

Of course, if you’re going to clean your hearing aids, you need tools that allow you to be gentle with them. Nothing too fancy is required for cleaning though, as you’ll mostly just need a soft cloth that you can use to wipe away wax whenever you remove your hearing aid. For most people, this will be when getting into bed, or when going into the shower, the bath or a swimming pool. Hearing aids are often not waterproof, so it’s important to remove them before exposing them to excess water.

The process you use to clean your hearing aid may differ from in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) or in the canal (ITC). For hearing aids that are difficult to clean with a cloth, a wax pick or a soft brush can also make for effective tools for removing any earwax within the device.

Generally, you’ll want to perform this cleaning once a day, and while deeper cleaning or maintenance may be necessary at some point, you’ll want to get that information from your audiologist. As it can differ from hearing aid to hearing aid, you’ll want a professional opinion on how to intimately care for yours.

With all of that said, your hearing aid should come with a cleaning kit that will contain everything that you need. However, if you were to lose it or any items from the kit, they are easily replaceable items that you can pick up from a number of different locations. Your audiologist will walk you through the steps for cleaning when you first get your hearing aid. Make sure to ask them questions about maintaining your hearing aids.

Preparing for Cleaning

Once you have all of your tools ready, you’ll want to make sure your hearing aids aren’t going to be damaged during the process. Make sure your hands are clean and dry and set down a soft, flat surface for your hearing aids to be placed on. This will prevent any damage from happening to them if they’re knocked or dropped while you clean.

You’ll also want to make sure that the cloth you use to wipe them is either dry or a little damp with water. You don’t want to use chemical wipes, even if that sounds more sanitary, as it can damage both the hearing aid and your ears when you put them in next.

When you’re prepared, gently hold the hearing aid with its face down and employ the brush and cloth to delicately eliminate any adhered wax. If some wax persists, refrain from applying excessive force as a solution. Instead, transition to the wax pick and gently remove wax. It is crucial to be meticulous in addressing every area where wax may be present, ensuring a thorough cleaning process.

Extra Care

Some hearing aids like the BTE tubing that requires regular replacement. The frequency that you’ll need to replace it can depend both on the device, and the condition of your hearing aid. If you notice your tubing is becoming discolored, blocked or damaged in some way, you’ll need to have it replaced immediately.

ITE hearing aids have a filter that prevents earwax from getting into them. While this can make cleaning more convenient, the filter will have to be replaced regularly if it’s going to remain effective. Speak with your audiologist about how often your wax filter needs replacement.

Speak to an Audiologist

If you have any questions about hearing aids or need to ask about your own hearing aids, you should get in touch with an audiologist as soon as possible. Providing proper care for your hearing aids is essential in having them last longer and maintaining their functionality. You can reach an audiologist at Atlantic Audiology by calling us (401) 262-0170 today. We can’t wait to hear from you!