How to clean and maintain hearing aids

Properly maintaining your hearing aids is essential for their ongoing performance and durability. By cleaning your hearing aid regularly, you can help prevent problems such as ear infections, keep the sound quality high, and sidestep the necessity for costly fixes. This blog post will offer you useful advice on how to clean hearing aids.

Why cleaning hearing aids is important

​Every day, hearing aids come into contact with elements such as earwax, humidity, and dust. If these gadgets aren't consistently maintained, these substances can accumulate and lead to serious issues, like diminished audio clarity, annoying echoing sounds, or even the device breaking down entirely. It’s important to note that not cleaning your hearing aids often can result in the growth of harmful bacteria, raising the chance of getting an ear infection.

Types of hearing aid

Behind-the-ear hearing Aids (BTE)
These gadgets feature an outer part that is placed behind the ear and a pipe that extends into the ear canal. It's important to frequently clean the outside part and inspect the pipe for any water or dirt.
 
In-the-ear hearing Aids (ITE)
These devices are designed to be inserted directly into the outer ear and require diligent cleaning of the microphone openings and the outer shell to avoid the accumulation of earwax.
 
Receiver-in-canal hearing Aids (RIC)
These have a speaker positioned inside the ear canal, making the dome and receiver particularly susceptible to earwax blockage. Regular cleaning of these parts in particular is essential to keep them free from wax and maintain clear sound quality.

Hearing aid cleaning tips

​When it comes to cleaning and looking after your hearing aids, steer clear of these common mistakes:
 
- Avoid using water, cleaning solutions or alcohol as they can harm the electronic parts of your hearing aids.
 
- Take caution not to push cleaning tools too far into the microphone ports or receiver openings, as this might lead to damage.
 
- Always choose tools made specially for the type of hearing aids you have.
 
- Clean your ears before putting in your hearing aids.

If you are curious on the lifespan of hearing aids read our blog on how long do hearing aids last?

Hearing aid common problems 

Even with consistent care, you might still face issues with your hearing aids. Here are some typical problems and how to address them:
 
Feedback Noise: If you hear whistling or feedback sounds, it could be a sign of a problem with the fit or a blockage in the hearing aid. Make sure your ear is clean and the device is fitted properly.
 
No Sound Output: If your hearing aid isn't playing any sound, check for earwax blockages, you may need to clean the wax filter or ensure the battery is in place correctly and isn't out of power.
 
Water damage: Hearing aids are electronic devices and they do not get along with water. If they come into contact with water quickly turn off the device and remove the batteries, leaving them to dry out completely.

Conclusion

Hearing aid cleaning kits are often supplied to suit the specific model of your hearing aid. These kits typically come equipped with tools such as a brush or wand for removing debris, a wax pick or loop for eliminating earwax, and maybe a small cloth or wipes for cleaning the exterior.
 
Maintaining and cleaning your hearing aids regularly is crucial for their optimal performance and longevity. By following these tips you can guarantee that your hearing aids stay in excellent condition, delivering clear sound and enhancing your overall hearing experience. If you're having trouble with your hearing aids, it could be because they're not the right choice for your hearing needs anymore. It's crucial to have your hearing checked again to discover a device that fits your present hearing condition. Find out how long hearing aids last for in one of our other blog posts.