Each year, about 4 million people make a substantial investment into better hearing through hearing aids. This amazing bit of technology produces life-changing experiences related to relationships, lifestyle choices, and successful careers. Because over time, dirt, debris, and earwax affects performance, which leads to sound quality degradation, decreased service life, and some undesirable hygiene issues, hearing aid maintenance and cleaning is essential. To help my patients in Maryland get the most benefit from their hearing aids, I am providing a quick guide on how to clean your hearing aids at home.
Assemble the Tools
The primary enemies of hearing aid performance and longevity are moisture, earwax, and dirt or debris. Having the right tools available makes it easy to fend off the damage. The necessary tools include:
- Soft and Dry Cloth. Avoid tissues with lotions or ointments, and the cloth should be free of any moisture.
- Wax Pick and Brush. These usually come as a set available at our office or from most pharmacies.
Set Up a Regular Routine
Cleaning your hearing aids as part of your daily routine makes the job easier to manage and produces the best results. Some basic tips for setting up a regular routine include:
- Clean the instrument at the beginning or end of your day. This allows time for the instrument to dry while you are sleeping or while you go through your regular morning hygiene routine. Wipe down the device with the dry cloth. Pick or brush away any stuck-on wax or debris, making sure that you clean out the microphone and receiver holes.
- Remove your hearing aid during your hygiene routine. Moisture from the shower, tub, or sink as well as hair spray and other hygiene products cause significant damage to the digital components inside your hearing aids as well as the delicate, specially molded materials used to make the casing.
- Avoid moisture and extreme temperatures. Not jumping into the pool, the lake, or the ocean while wearing your hearing aids is a no brainer, but regular drying or a dehumidifier might be necessary if you live in an area of high humidity. Don’t place your hearing aid on the dashboard of your car or on the windowsill to avoid UV and heat damage. Keep in mind that your warm body and extremely cold air produces moisture in the form of condensation.
- DO NOT try to fix any loose wires or cracks yourself. Rigging something up will cause damage to your hearing aids. If you notice damage of any kind, let a professional fix it.
Contact Jacobs Audiology for Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Your regular routine will go a long way toward maintaining the investment you have made into your hearing aids, but there are various maintenance and cleaning tasks requiring the specialized attention of a professional. At Jacobs Audiology, we have the tools and expertise to provide regular hearing aid cleaning and care a couple of times a year, so you can enjoy the best possible hearing experience. Contact us to learn more about hearing aid cleaning and maintenance or to schedule a professional cleaning.