How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Clean hearing aids can mean the difference between clear, loud sounds and muffled conversations, and missed moments. When wearing a hearing aid daily it is important to understand how to clean hearing aids effectively and efficiently so you can continue to enjoy their benefits. Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you clean hearing aids without damaging them and extend their life, in between aftercare visits in-store with your audiologist.
How to clean BTE hearing aids
Take a few moments to clean your behind-the-ear hearing aid every day. Cleaning BTE hearing aids involves removing the ear hook, taking a clean dry cloth, and wiping down the external speaker. You do not need to use any liquids to do this.
How to clean ITE hearing aids
Similar to BTE hearing aids, cleaning in the ear hearing aids involves taking a clean dry cloth and wiping your device over. Again, no liquid or fluids should get into any of the openings or microphones. ITE hearing aids have their own filtration system to avoid ear wax getting into the device and this should be changed regularly to ensure clean hearing aids and quality sound.
How to clean wax from hearing aids
The best quality sound will always come from clean hearing aids, rather than hearing aids clogged with wax. Built-up wax can diminish the sound quality of your hearing aid greatly. It is important to regularly replace ear wax filters and guards when they become too built up with wax to simply brush it away. Smaller amounts of earwax can be removed from your hearing aid with a soft brush provided by your audiologist or a soft-bristled toothbrush. Simply sight the wax and brush it away with a cleaning brush or slightly damp cloth. The tubing in BTE hearing aids can also become blocked with wax; this can be removed with a small, bendable wire (which should come with a hearing aid cleaning kit) or an air blower. You can also visit your audiologist who will be able to assist in cleaning.
How to disinfect hearing aids
A specific hearing aid disinfectant can be purchased from your audiologist however, the best way to ensure you have clean hearing aids is to ensure your hands and tools are clean when cleaning your device, laying all components on a clean soft cloth as you clean your hearing aid, and ensure your ears are clean and dry when you put your device back in your ear.
Other tips for clean hearing aids
- To ensure clean hearing aids, avoid applying makeup or hairspray while your device is in as they can get into the microphone or other openings and cause damage.
- When you clean hearing aids, lay all pieces (batteries, tubing, ear hook) on a flat surface on top of a clean dry cloth, so you can account for all components and protect them from dirt and damage
- Only use specially designed cleaning brushes to clean hearing aids, never use sharp or pointy objects as these may damage the device
Still got some questions about looking after your hearing aid?
Your local Bay Audio clinicians are ready to help.