New and old hearing aid users alike regularly ask us the best ways to take care of their hearing aids. This article will help walk you through a good cleaning routine, common concerns, and when it’s best to reach out to the professionals for more help. Of course, if you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to your hearing healthcare provider and we will be more than happy to help you!
First, cleaning is the best way to ensure that your devices work well and last many years. We know that on average hearing aid users who take care of their devices with regular cleaning, either by themselves or by bringing them to their providers, have devices that last longer than their counterparts who don’t. Additionally, cleaning of the devices regularly ensures that if a more in-depth issue arises, it is noticed quickly.
Cleaning on a regular basis is the best course of action!
How Often Should I Clean My Hearing Aids?
For most individuals, this means we recommend cleaning the devices at least once a month. For cleaning, for most individuals, this means wiping off the externals of the device, removing any visible debris, removing and replacing the dome if excessive debris or damage is noted (or thoroughly wiping the earmold if applicable), and replacing the wax trap within the external speaker.
If you are someone who creates more wax, however, you may need to clean the devices more often. If any of these steps seem difficult or you have questions, your hearing healthcare provider would absolutely be willing to walk you through the steps or do them for you.
Hearing Aid Cleaning Tips & Tricks
There are also some great tips to keep in mind when taking care of your devices. Overall, one of the best tips we give is if sound quality suddenly changes from one day—or even one moment—to the next, try cleaning them!
Another common problem is the small plastic piece that sits in the bowl of the ear breaks. The good news is that this piece is not essential to general function. If you have an extra it is very simple to replace by examining how it is on the device and copying that yourself. Another concern is if a dome breaks or doesn’t sit on the speaker of the device well. If this happens, we recommend replacing it sooner rather than later for your comfort purposes!
One of our patients’ biggest concerns is how to know when the problem needs more help than just cleaning. The easiest way to know this is to try cleaning the device. If you clean the device and the problem is still occurring, then it is probably time to reach out to your hearing healthcare provider.
Wax is the most common issue when it comes to hearing aids. If the device seems clear of debris then it may be an internal component, which can only be diagnosed via in-office troubleshooting.
Concerned About Your Hearing Aids?
Following a consistent cleaning routine for your devices can increase their effectiveness and longevity. Thankfully, cleaning most devices is fairly simple and straightforward. Regular cleaning also allows you to quickly determine any issues occurring with your devices. If you want to learn how to clean your devices, get help with troubleshooting, or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at any time!
