Easy and Effective Hearing Aid Cleaning Tips

Hearing aids have revolutionized the way individuals with hearing loss can communicate and engage with people around them. These devices amplify sound, making a substantial improvement in one's quality of life. However, to ensure that your hearing aids perform well, regular cleaning is essential. With proper care, your hearing aids will continue to provide optimal sound quality, reliability, and comfort for years to come.

Read on for valuable hearing aid cleaning tips to keep your hearing device in pristine condition.

Why Is Cleaning Hearing Aids Important?

Here are some key points emphasizing the significance of regular cleaning of hearing aids:

• Enhanced Functionality - Over time, earwax, dust, and moisture can accumulate in hearing aids, affecting their functionality. Regular cleaning ensures that they remain free from debris, allowing excellent sound quality.
• Extended Lifetime - Cleaning your hearing aids regularly helps prevent long-term damage caused by debris build-up, extending their lifespan and saving you money in the long run.
• Good Hygiene - Regular cleaning promotes good hygiene, minimizing the risk of infections or ear-related complications.

Tips on Cleaning Different Types of Hearing Aids

Depending on the type of hearing aid, there are specific cleaning procedures to follow. Here is hearing aid cleaning tips for different types of hearing aids:

In-The-Ear (ITE), Completely-In-Canal (CIC), and Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids

• Use a soft, dry brush to gently remove any wax build-up from the microphone ports and receiver opening areas.
• If your audiologist has instructed you, use a wax loop or brush to clean the wax out of the receiver tube and vent.
• Wipe the device with a clean, dry cloth.

Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

• Wipe the earmold – the clear plastic part which fits into your ear – with a clean, dry cloth or tissue.
• Using a fresh cloth or tissue, do the same with the body of the hearing aid.
• Using the brush supplied with your hearing aids or any small, soft brush, clean the microphone ports on the body of the hearing aid.
• If your audiologist has instructed you to do so, you can also use a brush and/or pick to clean the vent and sound opening in the earmolds.

Receiver-In-The-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

• Gently brush microphone ports and soft ear dome.
• Wipe down the ear dome with a soft cloth or tissue.
• Remove the ear dome, replace the filter, and replace the dome, if you have been instructed to do so.

When to Visit Your Audiologist for Hearing Aid Cleaning

Most often, professional cleaning should occur about every six months. In some situations, that interval might be lengthened or shortened. Audiologists have special vacuums to deep clean your devices and may also need to replace parts like filters, screens, or tubes.

Other circumstances for which you may need a professional hearing aid cleaning include:

• The device is not working properly
• You notice a decline in sound quality
• You experience discomfort/irritation when wearing your hearing aids
• You struggle to remove built-up wax or other debris on or in the device

Visit Hoffmann Audiology for Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning

At Hoffmann Audiology, we are committed to providing professional hearing aid cleaning at an affordable cost. Our hearing aid cleaning will not only ensure the cleanliness of your hearing aids but also help identify any underlying issues and maximize your hearing device's performance. Schedule an appointment today to get your hearing aids professionally cleaned.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my hearing aid domes or earpieces?

It is a good practice to wipe off domes or earpieces daily. This can be done with a tissue and should take just a moment, either at the end of each use or prior to putting on the hearing aids in the morning.

Can you use alcohol wipes to clean hearing aid domes?

It is fine to occasionally use alcohol wipes – after dropping a hearing aid onto the ground, for example. Alcohol or other antiseptic wipes should not be used on a regular basis, however, as they can eventually cause damage to the hearing aid.

Can you soak your hearing aid?

No, never! There are very few actually waterproof hearing aids. Most are “splash resistant,” but submerging them is likely to cause damage. If you do accidentally submerge your hearing aids, you should call your audiologist right away. They may have special drying containers which can pull out moisture before serious damage is done.

What not to use to clean hearing aid?

Generally speaking, it is best to avoid anything with moisture – alcohol wipes, moist towelettes, etc. – as well as anything abrasive or sharp. Clean, dry clothes or tissues are ideal.