Troubleshooting & Maintenance

The importance of regular hearing aid cleaning

Maintaining consistency in your hearing aid care throughout the device’s lifespan is crucial for ensuring they remain in optimal working condition; both for delivering the best possible hearing experience while minimising everyday issues and maintaining good overall ear health.

However, despite advances in technology and durability, hearing aids are not immune to damage from improper handling. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential hearing aid maintenance, proper hearing aid care and provide tips on how to clean your hearing aids at home and which, potentially costly, mistakes to avoid.

Why do I need to clean my hearing aids?

Because hearing aids are small, intricate devices they are prone to accumulating dust, debris, and earwax with use over time. Failure to clean them regularly can lead to problems including reduced sound quality and malfunctioning components.

Proper cleaning not only helps preserve the clarity and effectiveness of your hearing aids but also prevents costly repairs and replacements. By removing accumulated dirt and earwax, you will extend the life of your devices and also enhance your overall hearing experience.

When hearing aids accumulate dirt, moisture, or earwax, not only can it compromise their performance, but it can also lead to ear-related issues. These build-ups can create a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, potentially causing problems such as ear infections.

By consistently cleaning your hearing aids, you preserve their effectiveness and also create a healthier environment for your ears.

How often should I clean my hearing aids?

Making cleaning your hearing aids a part of your daily and weekly routine ensures you are hearing as well as possible and could save you time and money.

Small, regular efforts preventing the gradual accumulation of dirt, earwax, and moisture, which can otherwise hamper their functionality and longevity, will over time contribute to a clearer, more reliable, and longer-lasting hearing aid experience.

Simple hearing aid care plan

Daily routine: Ideally you should wipe your hearing aids down once a day. Make it a part of your morning or evening routine when you clean your teeth. Here are a few tips:

• Wipe the hearing aids all over with your lint-free cloth, including the microphone and receiver.
• This is also a good time to check for visible dirt or earwax which may mean a deeper clean is required.

“As needed” routine: You can conduct a more thorough hearing aid cleaning more occasionally when needed. Such as:

1. Any build-up of earwax can be removed using a soft brush or a wax tool.

2. Earmolds and domes can be removed and cleaned separately using warm soapy water. Make sure you rinse and dry them properly before reattaching them.

3. Replace wax guards or filters if they show signs of wear or blockage.

Not all hearing aids are created equally, each model will have parts that need specific attention to their setup. Below is a list of styles and the type of maintenance you can add to your personal weekly hearing aid cleaning routine.

Worth noting, if you take the dome off and wash it every day you are likely to find yourself in ENT having them remove the dome from your ear canal. It makes them increasingly loose and they come off in your ear.