How do you clean hearing aids?
Hearing aids have given countless people their hearing back, but they’re not foolproof instruments. They need to be maintained properly to function properly, and regular cleaning is a key part of that process. Thankfully, cleaning hearing aids is a process you can do safely at home. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning hearing aids.
Why do hearing aids need to be cleaned?
Inevitably, your hearing aids will encounter earwax and moisture from your ear canal, and these substances can interfere with your hearing aids’ functioning. Moisture buildup can be easier to avoid if you remove your hearing aids while showering, washing your face, or using hair sprays, gels, or other products, but earwax buildup is all but guaranteed.
Earwax tends to accumulate in places on your hearing aid that must remain unobstructed, such as from where sounds emerge. Earwax buildup can lead to muffling or distortion. Earwax that sits in these spaces for long periods without being cleaned can permanently damage your hearing aids, so regular cleaning is vital for the health of the device.
How often should I clean my hearing aids?
You may be surprised to learn that your hearing aids benefit greatly from daily cleaning. Cleaning your hearing aids before you go to sleep each night is key to clear hearing. Nighttime cleaning ensures that your hearing aids have the proper time to dry before reinserting them the next morning.
Do you need special tools to clean your hearing aids?
It is recommended that you use tools designed for the purpose of cleaning hearing aids. Hearing aid cleaning kits are available for purchase online. Some hearing aids come with cleaning tools. These specialized hearing aid cleaning tools include a wax pick and a brush to gently clear the hearing aids of wax. Some hearing aid manufacturers also recommend buying a multi-tool for cleaning your hearing aids.
Additionally, the type of tool needed may vary depending on the hearing aid model. For example, if you use BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids, you’ll need a bulb blower to clean your hearing aids. With ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids, you will want to keep them as far away from moisture as possible.
In our next post on this topic we’ll talk about how to clean these different types of hearing aids.
Learn more about hearing aid care with I Love Hearing
Cleaning your hearing aids is only a small part of ensuring that your devices are working properly and will last for years. At I Love Hearing, our leadership team has in-depth experience working hands-on with all major hearing aid brands, so we can advise you on cleaning and maintenance best practices.
Unlike many hearing aid providers that only sell and repair one brand, we carry and repair nearly every hearing aid brand available in the U.S., and particularly in New York City and Long Island. We offer hearing aid fitting, hearing aid repair, ear wax management, and other services that can help you to keep your hearing aids working like they’re brand new year after year. Our team of licensed audiologists and hearing aid specialists operates from offices located throughout the greater New York metro area: in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and throughout Long Island, including East Meadow, New Hyde Park, Port Washington, and Great Neck.
If you have more questions about hearing aid fitting or hearing aid repair, visit the I Love Hearing FAQ page about hearing aids. And if you still have questions, we’d love to help you: Contact us to book an appointment and start your hearing aid journey.
