Technology always works better when it’s well maintained, including the technology in your hearing aids. Only the latter needs daily maintenance and upkeep because of its location in the ear.
Daily maintenance can double the life of your hearing aids, which protects your investment and saves you money down the road. It’s worth doing well.
To help you know what’s involved, West Coast Hearing and Balance Center in Ventura County has put together a list of seven tips so that you can rest assured you’ve done your part when you turn out the light each night.
1. Cleaning Tools
The simple cleaning routine is always easier when you have everything you need at hand.
- Cloth – a tissue or soft cloth
- Brush – like a soft toothbrush
- Wax pick – this usually comes with your new hearing aids
- Dryer or dehumidifier
- Filters and domes
2. Go Gently
Earwax is the number one cause of hearing aids not working properly, so removing this daily is the priority.
It can be easy to think that the harder you scrub, the cleaner your hearing aids will be, but hearing aids don’t respond well to harsh treatment and are more easily cleaned with a gentle touch.
- Check your wax guard and earmolds for any wax and clean it out.
- Wipe and brush off all the dirt, earwax, and debris of the day.
- Look for any visible damage and defects.
3. Don’t Use Chemical Cleaners
The many tiny parts in a hearing aid can be damaged by the harsh chemicals in cleaning solvents. Even water can damage the hearing aids, so keep your cleaning dry.
4. Daily Cleaning Is Best
Some hearing aid owners prefer to clean their hearing aids in the morning — after the day’s earwax and sweat have dried out — while others prefer to do it at night. There’s no right or wrong way – whatever works for you is good as long as it’s done once a day.
Every month
- Check wax filters, guards, or domes for cracks or damage and change as needed. We can show you how to do this if you’re unsure.
- Do a monthly diagnostic test on the hearing aid parts if your hearing aids have a diagnostic app, such as Starkey.
5. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Moisture can damage your hearing aids, so if you’re caught in the rain or switch from a warm area to a cold one quickly, or if you participate in cardio sports, you’ll need to dry them out.
If you have battery-operated hearing aids, leave the battery door open at night to let them dry. For rechargeables, West Coast Hearing and Balance can recommend a dehumidifying device.
6. Avoid Leaving Your Hearing Aids in Very High or Low Temps
Extreme heat and UV rays can damage hearing aids, as some people have found out after leaving them in a glove box or on the dash for an hour or two in the summertime. Extreme cold can too, so cover up your ears with muffs or a hat if you’re snowbound.
Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place anytime you are not wearing them, such as your charging station.
7. Schedule a Regular Clean and Check
Just like the body needs a yearly checkup and tune-up, so do your hearing aids. Even with a daily cleaning routine, it makes sense to have them checked for anything that might be affecting their performance.
West Coast Hearing and Balance offers regular Clean and Check appointments to make sure your investment is looked after. We will:
- do a deep clean and disinfection
- check all the tiny parts — microphone, receiver, etc. — for wax and debris
- do a listening check for speech distortion
- remove any lurking internal moisture with our powerful dehumidifier
- and replace receiver wires, domes, wax guards/filters, and earmold tubes as needed.
We are familiar with all the top manufacturers’ hearing aids and are confident that we can give your hearing aids the checkup treatment they deserve.
Combine two visits in one and have your hearing aids deep cleaned while you get your yearly hearing check. We look forward to seeing you and keeping your hearing aids working well for many years to come!
