Whether you’re a new hearing aid user or an experienced one, there are plenty of ways to make your hearing aids work their best. Investing in proper hearing aid care and maintenance will help to ensure that your investment lasts for years to come. Proper care and maintenance of your hearing aid include:
- Replacing batteries.
- Changing tubing and wax guard filters regularly.
- Keeping them in a dry place.
These simple measures will keep your hearing aids performing at their best and protect them from damage.
Keep Your Ears Clean
Keeping your ears clean is not only an essential part of hearing health but also your overall well-being. It’s natural for your ears to naturally produce earwax that helps lubricate the ear canal and protect your inner ear from infection. However, if your ears become blocked or wax builds up, it can cause damage to the eardrum and your hearing. The ear is a dark, moist environment perfect for growing fungi and germs. This is why it’s so important to regularly clean your hearing aids and make sure they are sterile before you put them back in. To keep your hearing aids clean, we recommend cleaning them daily and removing them at night and before showering. You can also purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit to help you do the job. These kits are available for different types of hearing aids.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
As any hearing healthcare professional will tell you, keeping your hearing aids clean can significantly extend their life span. Cleaning daily will help remove dirt, earwax, sweat, and other debris that can build up in the hearing aid receiver and microphone. Your audiologist may provide specialized hearing aid cleaning tools for home use, including a cleaner brush and wax pick. These are great for removing any earwax that builds up in the receiver and will also make your daily hearing aid maintenance routine easier and more convenient. To properly clean your hearing aid, you should start by making sure the battery door is open and remove all batteries from the device. This is especially important in a humid area, as moisture can damage the digital components within your hearing aids. After removing all batteries from your hearing aids, you can begin to wipe them down with a soft cloth. Then, you can place them in the specialized case with your hearing aids or in a dehumidifying specialized hearing box for storage while not being used. You can then use a bulb blower to blow air through the tubing that connects the hearing aid to your ear, allowing any built-up moisture to evaporate. Once your tubing is dry, you can reattach it and clean the rest of your hearing aid. Next, you can use your cleaning brush to clean the microphone ports on the hearing aid, which are essential for receiving sound from the acoustic tube. Be careful not to poke anything into the microphone port, as this can cause the device to malfunction. The microphone is also sensitive to heat, so you should avoid using a hair dryer to dry it off. It would be best if you kept the hearing aid in an excellent, dark location when not in use to prevent the microphone from overheating and damaging your hearing. You should also check the vents on the ear mold for any debris or earwax that has been collected there. You can use your cleaning brush to clear out debris or earwax, then use the wax pick or wire loop to clear any stubborn wax that the encounter didn’t dislodge.
Keep Your Ears Dry
Moisture can have a considerable impact on your hearing aid and its performance. That’s why keeping your ears dry as much as possible is essential. The best way to do this is by preventing moisture from getting into your ears in the first place. This is especially important if you have earwax or other debris in your ears. If you get water in your ears, remove it immediately, and don’t put your hearing aids back into your ears until they are dehydrated. It would be best if you also placed your hearing aids in a dry jar or box so that they can wick away any excess moisture overnight. Even if you have no earwax or other debris in the ears, if you are using your hearing aids and sweating heavily, perspiration can cause damage to the battery and internal components. That’s why it’s essential to keep your ears dry as much as possible, whether working out or just taking a shower. In addition, extreme temperatures can harm the batteries in your hearing aids and shorten their life span. This is why it’s a good idea to keep your hearing aids in a dry cab or box during hot weather or use a dehumidifier while sleeping.
Keep Your Ears Clean
One of the most important things you can do for your hearing aids is to keep them clean. This is something you should be doing every day, and it can make a big difference in the overall health of your hearing aids and how well they work. It is also essential to check your hearing aids regularly for any dirt and debris that may have been collected during the day. This can include hairspray, makeup, or any debris that could contaminate the microphone or other openings on your hearing aids. It’s also a good idea to clean the battery compartment on your hearing aids from time to time. This can help keep the battery contact area in your hearing aids clean and rust-free, which is critical for the safety of your hearing.
