How to Properly Maintain Your Hearing Aid at Home

If you have recently acquired hearing aids, now is the perfect time to learn how to care for them in between your hearing appointments. Cleaning and maintaining your hearing aids at home couldn’t be simpler, as long as you know the basic steps to take. Hearing aids are unique to other electronic equipment as they operate in conditions that aren’t always ideal.

Inside your ear canal, they are exposed to earwax & moisture, and they’re placed in a very small area; this means that maintenance is extra important. So, if you’re looking for years of reliable and better hearing, this is the place to get started when it comes to properly cleaning and caring for your hearing aids.

Getting into good habits with regards to caring for your hearing aids is essential. If you’re unsure about anything your audiologist will be able to advise you on the best possible steps to take when maintaining your devices. For now, here are some top care tips for your hearing aids that should help you get started.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Try to avoid placing your hearing aids in extremely hot or cold temperatures, this can damage the electronic circuit within the device which may cause issues when you’re trying to use them. If you’re doing jobs outside the house in freezing cold temperatures, it’s probably best to keep your hearing aids indoors where it’s slightly warmer.

Invest in the Correct Tools

Cleaning and caring for your hearing aids is much simpler when you have the right tools at your disposal. A brush and a wax pick are two pieces of equipment that could come in very handy when you’re maintaining your devices. Over time, earwax can accumulate on your hearing aids which can cause an unpleasant noise in your ear. You can use the brush and wax pick to gently remove any pieces of wax, so you experience crystal clear sounds.

Clean At the End of the Day

If you wear your hearing aids all day, you’re going to want to clean them as often as you can in the evening. Doing this everyday will help them to air out before you put them in again in the morning. Steer clear from moist wipes or chemicals, as this can cause damage to your hearing aids.

Start The Good Habits Now

Getting into a good routine with your hearing aid maintenance will make the process feel like second nature. Start establishing those habits now, so they start fitting in with your regular morning or evening routine. Once you associate cleaning your hearing aids with brushing your teeth, it won’t feel like such a chore.

Cleaning In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

Cleaning your in the ear hearing aids couldn’t be simpler, as long as you follow the guidelines from your audiologist carefully. The openings of the device should be cleaned first using a soft-bristled toothbrush or specialist brush provided from your audiologist. A top tip is to hold your hearing aid with the opening you’re cleaning facing downwards so that any debris falls out naturally. Any pieces of wax that remain in the device can be picked out using a wax pick or hook. Finally, use a dry cloth to simply wipe away any excess particles from your hearing aid.

Cleaning Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

If you use behind the ear hearing aids, there is a slightly different method to follow. Once you have safely taken off your hearing aids you should give them a quick check over to see if there is any debris. This can be wiped away using a dry tissue, cloth or soft bristled brush. Then, remove the earmold from the hook so you can give it a good clean.

Soaking your earmold in warm, soapy water will help to avoid discoloration and keep it generally clean. Steer clear from harsh chemicals as this could irritate your ear. After this, you should allow your hearing aid to dry thoroughly overnight and use a bulb blower to push any water out of the tubing.

Let’s Talk About Hearing Aids

Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services is a locally owned and operated hearing clinic, composed of a dedicated team of audiologists. With years of experience, our team is friendly, reliable and honest about each and every one of our clients’ requirements. We pride ourselves on finding the ideal treatment plan for you, so that you can feel confident during the process.

With state-of-the-art hearing aid technology, you can feel at ease with all of our treatment options too. If you have any questions about our services at the Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services, you can call us today at 623-583-1737. We can’t wait to talk to you!