While hearing aids can greatly improve your quality of life, they can also be an expensive investment. To make sure that you can continue to make use of your hearing aids reliably, it is crucial to practice proper maintenance and to keep them clean. Read on to find a few important tips to keep your hearing aids clean.
Use Proper Tools
For at-home cleaning of hearing aids, a wax pick and brush are two essential tools. Daily usage of hearing aids can lead to the buildup of earwax in the opening at the end of the hearing aid, which can lead to the device malfunctioning or even getting damaged. Make use of these tools to regularly clear them gently without damaging your device.
Maintain Good Habits
Before you begin cleaning your hearing aids, make sure to always wash your hands. Whenever showering or washing your face and hair, make sure that you remove your hearing aids to avoid damage from soap and water. Also, always apply your face and hair care products before putting on your hearing aids to prevent damaging them.
Cleaning ITE (In the Ear) Hearing Aids
– For ITE devices clean the openings in the device using a brush provided by the manufacturer or your healthcare professional, or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
– Make sure that the device points downward so that any pieces of debris fall out of the device.
– Next, use a wax pick to remove any particles lodged inside.
– Lastly, wipe the device with a clean, dry cloth.
Cleaning BTE (Behind the Ear) Hearing Aids
– In the case of BTE devices, check for any debris and remove it using a soft brush or a tissue.
– Next, detach the earmold from the hook and gently clean it.
– In some cases, these earmolds can become faded over time. To avoid this, soak them in warm soapy water every week and allow them to dry completely overnight. While doing this, make sure to avoid using any alcohol or chemical-based cleaners.
– Lastly, use a bulb blower to eject any water lodged in the tubing and let the device rest overnight to dry completely.
