A Guide to Cleaning Your Hearing Aids
Maximizing Your Hearing Aid Experience:
by: Rixon Rouse, Au.D. Audiologist at San Francisco Hearing Center
How often should you clean your hearing aids? If you guessed something as frequent as “daily” or “weekly” congratulations, you may already be an expert on cleaning your hearing aids. However, if you were unsure or have never cleaned your hearing aids at home then this post may be just for you.
Taking good care of your hearing aids is an important and necessary step keeping them functioning at their full potential. Similarly with any sophisticated electronic device, regular hearing aid cleaning and maintenance extends their lifespan, and ultimately provides you with the clearest, most consistent sound experience. Think of cleaning your hearing aids as a small
investment of your time that pays off in better hearing every day!
Why is Cleaning Important?
Your hearing aids are constantly exposed to various elements such as earwax, moisture, oils, and other debris. Over time, these can accumulate and create blockages that interfere with the delicate microphones and receivers.
Clogged or blocked hearing aids lead to:
- Reduced Sound Quality. Muffled sounds, crackling, or intermittent audio sounds.
- Decreased Performance. Your hearing aids might not seem as powerful or clear as they once were.
- Increased Repair Needs. Built-up debris can cause internal damage, leading to repairs.
- Shorter Lifespan. Neglecting cleaning can significantly shorten the overall life of your devices.
- Discomfort. Debris on earmolds or domes can irritate your ear.
The good news is that most of these issues are easily preventable with a simple,
consistent cleaning your hearing aids routine.
Regular Weekly Cleaning at Home
Consistency is key when it comes to hearing aid cleaning.
- Wash Your Hands: Always start with clean dry hands to avoid transferring more dirt or oils onto your devices.
- Visual Inspection: Hold your hearing aid up and visually inspect it for any visible earwax or debris.
- Brush Away Debris: Use the small brush provided with your hearing aids (or a very soft, clean toothbrush) to gently brush away any wax or skin particles. Particularly brush the microphone ports, receiver (speaker) tip, and vent. Brush downwards to allow debris to fall away.
- Wipe Gently: Use a soft, dry cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, to wipe down the entire surface of your hearing aid. For behind the ear style hearing aids make sure to wipe down the earmold or dome. If the dome has significant build up you can opt to replace the dome with a new one instead. For custom in the ear style devices gently wipe the device casing.
Important Do’s and Don’ts when cleaning your hearing aids:
DO – Store in a Dry Place. When not in use always store your hearing aids in their case, charger, or a designated drying kit.
DO – Charge your batteries. For rechargeable devices, leave them on the charger overnight each evening.
DO – Change your Batteries. If your device uses disposable batteries, make sure to change them regularly. Depending on your battery size and power of your prescriptions you may need to change your batteries every few days to weekly.
DO – Handle with Care. Always hold your hearing aids over a table to prevent damage if dropped.
DON’T – Use Alcohol or Solvents. These can damage the delicate components and casing of your hearing aids.
DON’T – Use Sharp Objects. Avoid using pins, needles or other sharp objects to clean ports, as you can easily damage the internal components.
DON’T Expose to Extreme Temperatures. Avoid leaving your hearing aids in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or in extremely cold conditions.
DON’T Perform Inconsistent Cleaning. Debris, oils, and wax build up over time which regular consistent cleaning prevents.
Get a Professional Deep Cleaning at San Francisco Hearing Center
At your regular check-up visits at San Francisco Hearing Center our team of Audiologists and hearing care professionals will more deeply clean your devices. We have specialized tools to clean stubborn build up and to more thoroughly dry them out if moisture is the problem. These services can give you peace of mind while keeping your devices sounding brilliant. By spending a few minutes each week cleaning your hearing aids, you’ll ensure they continue to provide you with the best possible hearing experience. If you ever have questions or need assistance with cleaning or maintenance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at San Francisco Hearing Center. We’re always ready to help you hear your best.
Did you know?
If you purchased your hearing aids from San Francisco Hearing Center, there is no additional charge to get your hearing aids cleaned by a member of our team. To schedule an appointment call 415-346-6886 or book online.
