Hearing aids are electronic devices that are exposed daily to heat, moisture, earwax and dirt. These daily exposures cause hearing aids to break down, sound weak, have static, and have a shorter life expectancy. Preventative maintenance can help insure hearing aids are working appropriately and effectively.
The first step in preventative maintenance is regular check-ups with your audiologist. During these appointments, your hearing aids will be cleaned and dried, tubes and domes may be replaced, and your ear canals will be checked for wax buildup. Doctors of audiology can remove any buildup of wax from your ear canals.
There are also steps you can take at home to care for your hearing aids and optimize their effectiveness:
Wash and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids.
Clean your hearing aids every day with a dry, soft cloth.
Use a soft brush to brush the tip that goes into your ear canal.
Make sure to point the opening to the ground so that any loose wax falls to the ground and not into the hearing aid.
Brush over the microphone on the hearing aid.
Apply any lotion and hair products before putting your hearing aids in.If you like the outdoors or perspire easily, place your hearing aids in a dryer overnight.
The desiccant in the dryer will remove moisture in the hearing aids, providing for a better sound quality and prolonged hearing aid life.
Ask your audiologist about the best hearing aid dryer option for you.
DO NOT use water, cleaning fluids, or any liquids to clean your hearing aids.
DO NOT use a Q-tip to clean your ear canals. Q-tips are about the size of your ear canal and actually are more effective at pushing wax deep into your canal vs. removing wax.
DO NOT wash your face or hair with your hearing aids in. Hearing aids should be removed before showers, baths, etc.
DO NOT attempt to repair your hearing aid by yourself.