How to Maintain and Clean Your Hearing Aids
If you recently started using your first hearing aid, you may wonder about the best ways to keep it clean and operational for many years. Even if you have already had a hearing aid for years, you may want to find out more about cleaning and maintenance. At Fairway Hearing Center, we provide affordable hearing aids from today’s top manufacturers to the residents of Millville, DE, and surrounding areas, and today, we would like to share some information with you about how to keep your hearing aid in tip-top shape!
Follow All Manufacturer Instructions
The makers of quality hearing aids will usually include instructions for cleaning, and they may even include a tool kit to help you clean your device without damaging it. The methods and tools you use will depend on the type of hearing aid you use. For example, a completely in-canal (CIC) hearing aid will be more susceptible to wax buildup than a behind-the-ear (BTE) model. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid doing anything the manual cautions explicitly against. Doing so could damage your device and could also void your warranty.
Hearing Aid Cleaning Tools
There are a range of tools designed specifically to clean the sensitive instrumentation of a hearing aid. We suggest assembling a good toolkit rather than trying to adapt other tools for your purposes. Hearing aid cleaning tools include:
Hearing Aid Brush: This brush removes dirt and wax from the surfaces of your device and can also reach small holes to remove debris.
Slim Tube Cleaning Tool: Many types of hearing aids use hollow tubes, and this tool is designed to clean inside them without damaging them.
Wax Loops: Similar to a pick, this tool can pluck wax and debris from tubes and other openings.
Earmold Tubing Blower: Sometimes, a little gentle air pressure is the perfect method for getting rid of debris and moisture!
Hearing Aid Cleaners: These are similar to pipe cleaners.
Disinfectant Spray: If your manufacturer recommends using a cleaning agent, there are many types on the market today. Not only do they help dissolve tough debris, they can also help prevent ear infections.
Microfiber Cloth: A soft microfiber cloth can help you eliminate debris without leaving behind lint that could get stuck in your ear canal.
Be Gentle with Your Hearing Aid
Hearing aids are delicate instruments, so you need to be extra careful when cleaning them. Even when using the proper tools, be careful when inserting them into any openings or tubes.
Consider a Dehumidifier for Your Hearing Aid
Moisture is the enemy of all electronic devices, and hearing aids are no exception. Because they can be exposed to a great deal of sweat, moisture, and humidity while in your ear, leaving your hearing aid in a dehumidifier overnight will help improve its lifespan. Many dehumidifiers are available that are made specifically for hearing aids, and some even use UV light to disinfect while they dry.
How Often to Clean Your Hearing Aid
For the best performance, you should gently brush your microphone and wipe the entire hearing aid with a microfiber cloth or alcohol wipe once daily. This is also a good time to check your battery and charge or replace it as necessary. Once a week, you can also use your wax loops and other tools to remove wax that has worked its way into other openings. Every four to six months, you should have your hearing aid cleaned professionally, at which point the professional will replace your disposable tips and filters. Follow these steps to keep your hearing aids clean and operational for many years!
Hearing Aids in Millville, DE
At Fairway Hearing Center, we are dedicated to helping you hear the world around you with a range of services related to hearing aids. Get in touch with us for hearing aid fitting and sales, as well as for hearing aid repair in Lewes, DE and surrounding communities.