When you own a hearing aid or a pair, it’s important that you know how to look after them at home so you get the best use out of them. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure they remain in working order. Cleaning them with special tools every night, removing excess ear wax and keeping them bacteria free, will also benefit the health of your ears. Depending on the type of hearing aid you own, you may have to follow some different cleaning steps.
The best time to clean your hearing aids is at night when you remove them before going to bed. We suggest that you tie in your cleaning routine here. It should only take a matter of minutes but this practice will really benefit your hearing aids in the long run, avoiding any repairs.
What is in a hearing aid cleaning kit?
Your hearing aid kit will include all the essential tools you need to clean and maintain your hearing aids at home. Most hearing aids will come with one. However, if you don’t have one, just speak to your provider. Getting a replacement is easy enough. Your hearing aid kit should include:
- A soft brush
- Dry cloth
- Wax pick and/or wire loop
- Tubing blower
If your hearing aids don’t come with a cleaning kit, don’t fret. We can help provide you with all the tools and essentials you need to maintain your hearing aids at home.
Tips to consider before cleaning your hearing aids
If you’ve only just started wearing hearing aids, there are some things to consider so you can maintain and clean them without any issues. While modern hearing aids are designed to be as compact and easy to look after as possible, they contain sensitive and complex parts that are vulnerable to damage if you’re not too careful. These tips will help you to safely handle your hearing aids when they are out of your ears.
- Make sure you wash your hands and dry them before handling your hearing aids.
- Don’t wash your hearing aids with water. While hearing aids are water resistant, they aren’t completely waterproof. Remove your hearing aids when having a shower, bath or going swimming.
- Avoid using cleaning wipes that include alcohol.
- Always use the specifically designed cleaning tools for clearing out the microphone and receiver ports. Don’t use any sharp objects and stick to a wax pick.
- Consider having a dehumidifier to store your hearing aids overnight to remove moister and disinfect your hearing aids while not in use.
- When charging your hearing aid batteries overnight, leave the battery compartment open on your hearing aid.
- Avoid storing your hearing aids in direct sunlight or somewhere too warm – light next to a radiator.
- Don’t share your hearing aids with someone else and don’t use someone else’s hearing aids.
How to clean your hearing aids
When you receive your hearing aids from your provider or audiologist, they will talk through the best way to clean and maintain your hearing aids. You’ll also receive plenty of guidance from the manufacturer manual and it’s important that you review these as well. This will help avoid any damage from improper cleaning practice. There are different types of hearing air which will need different cleaning practices. We’ve set out some simple steps to help you stick to the right cleaning tips for your type of hearing aid.
Behind The Ear (BTE)
- Remove the hearing aid carefully from your ear and unhook the tubing from the body.
- Position the hearing aid face down.
- Use your cleaning brush to lightly clear away earwax and dirt from the device. Include brushing the microphone and receiver.
- Using the wire loops or pick, dislodge any stubborn bits of wax from the device and then brush again.
- Clean the tubing with a soft cloth.
- Remove the ear mould from the device. Make sure you review your instructions. Most cases, you can use warm, soapy water. Dry carefully using a soft cloth.
- Once dry, reassemble the hearing aid.
- Check everything is in working order.
- Place your hearing aid in the dehumidifier for storage overnight or in your case.
In the Ear (ITE)
- Remove the hearing aid from your ear.
- Position the hearing aid face down.
- Use the brush to remove any ear wax from the outer shell of the device including the receiver and microphone.
- Use the wax pick or loop to remove any bits of debris that don’t come away with the brush.
- Clean the ventilation tube with a soft cloth.
- Check the device is in working order.
- Store your hearing aid overnight in your case or dehumidifier.
Receiver in canal (RIC)
- Remove the rubber dome or cap from the hearing aid.
- Take out the wax trap under the dome. Replace it with a new one if you need to.
- Use your brush to clean around the microphone and receiver.
- Use the wire loop or wax pick to clean all debris from the device including the battery compartment and any moving parts.
- Brush the device again to ensure you’ve cleaned everything. Wipe and clean off the dome.
- Restore the dome in place and store your hearing aid overnight in your case or dehumidifier.
How often should I have my hearing aids professionally cleaned?
We recommend that you have your hearing aids cleaned at a hearing aid centre or audiologists every six to 12 months. While you can do a pretty good job on your own at home, a professional will handle the delicate parts of the device in the interior to make sure everything is clear. Just like how you’d take your car to be serviced, you should have your hearing aids checked over to make sure everything is in full operational order. If any parts need replacing, they’ll be able to manage any repairs or fixes.
What to do if your hearing aids aren’t working properly
If you’ve noticed a change in quality with the sound, whistling, disturbances or changes in volume, arrange to see an audiologist. At Sussex Audiology Centre, we have multiple locations in Sussex were you can see a professional who can check over your hearing aids. We can arrange for repairs, replacements and also cover with a hearing check for peace of mind.
You can contact our team by giving us a call at any of our locations here. You can also book online using our online service which you can access at the top of the webpage.
