What is the Best Way to Clean Hearing Aid Earpieces?

If you own a hearing aid, you will want it to last for as long as possible and to work effectively for many years to come. For this to happen, you are going to need to maintain and clean your hearing devices properly. This is something that we are going to help you with in this article. Continue reading to discover some of the most essential care tips for your hearing device:

• Try to avoid extreme cold or heat: If you are going to jump in the pool during a warm summer’s day, don’t simply take your hearing aid out and leave it on the table by the pool. Instead, you should leave them inside so that they are not exposed to such high temperatures. On the flip side, if the temperatures are below freezing outside, and you decide to take your hearing device out while you are clearing up the snow and shoveling your driveway, don’t simply pop your hearing aid in your pocket. Take it inside instead.
• Clean your hearing aid at the end of every day: One mistake a lot of people make is failing to clean their hearing device regularly enough. Before you go to bed, clean your hearing aid so that it has several hours to air out before you are going to use it again. Do not use wipes with alcohol or chemicals when cleaning your hearing devices, as they can cause damage.
• Establish good habits: It is essential to get into good habits when it comes to cleaning and looking after your hearing device. For example, it is imperative to wash your hands prior to cleaning your hearing device. You also need to ensure that your hearing device is never incorporated into your hygiene routine. Wash your face and take a shower without putting your hearing device in. This will ensure that soap and water are not able to get into the hearing device and cause damage. Putting in your hearing device should be the final part of the process, after you have applied hairspray and perfume. 
• Get the correct tools: Aside from the tips that have been discussed so far, you need to ensure you purchase a wax pick and brush. These are two essential and indispensable tools when it comes to cleaning your hearing device at home. Earwax can easily gather in the opening at the end of your hearing device, which can result in feedback, whistling or muffled sound. If this is left long enough, it can cause the receiver to become damaged, instead, you can use a brush and a pick to clear the wax away gently so that no further damage is caused. 

The type of hearing device will dictate the cleaning method you follow

It is vital to recognize your specific type of hearing loss, because there are a lot of different styles of hearing devices that are available today. Therefore, when it comes to cleaning your hearing aid, you need to make sure that the method you choose is appropriate for the type of hearing device you own. 

To help you get a better understanding, we will talk you through the steps you need to follow when it comes to in-the-ear (ITE) hearing devices. The first thing you should do is clean the device’s openings, such as the microphone ports. You can use the brush your healthcare professional has provided or a soft-bristle toothbrush. Make sure the device is held with the opening faced downward so that any loose particles fall out of the hearing device, rather than being lodged inside. 

Once you have done this, use a hook or wax pick to clear out anything that is stuck inside the holes that did not come out when you used the brush. You can then use a clean and dry tissue or cloth to finish wiping the device clear. This will ensure any debris is removed from the hearing aid case.

If you have a behind-the-ear (BTE) device, on the other hand, part of the process involves removing the earmold from the hook so that it can be cleaned effectively. 

Contact us today for more information

If you would like to find out more about hearing aids and the different options that are available to you when it comes to hearing aid cleaning and maintenance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We would be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. You can call the Hearing Doctors today at (630) 315-2899.