The Complete Guide to Cleaning Hearing Aids
Cleaning hearing aids is an essential part of hearing aid maintenance. That’s because dirt, moisture, and earwax can cause problems with a hearing aid’s performance or even damage the device itself. As an audiologist and hearing healthcare provider, I work with hearing aids daily and help patients learn more about hearing aid cleaners. In this article, we’ll cover all the basics of cleaning different types of hearing aids, what causes problems, and when you need to see a professional.
How Often Do Hearing Aids Need Cleaning?
The frequency of cleaning your hearing aid depends on a few factors. However, essential steps must be taken daily to keep dirt and debris at bay. Hearing aids are interesting because they are both electronics and medical devices that live in the damp, dark environment of the ear canal. So let’s talk about what to do each day.
Hearing Aid Cleaners
These are some typical hearing aid cleaning tools you’ll need:
- Hearing aid cleaning brush
- Soft cloth or non-alcohol wipe
- Wax loop
- Dental floss (plush, denture floss works well)
You’ll want to assemble these common tools prior to getting started.
Daily Cleaning
Each morning, you’ll want to gently brush off the part of the hearing aid that goes in the ear and also the microphone ports. That way, any debris that has dried overnight is removed. At night, when you remove your hearing aids from your ears, wipe them off with a tissue or a non-alcohol-based wipe (alcohol is too abrasive on the material).
Weekly Cleaning
Once a week, place your hearing aids in a hearing aid dryer. This step is crucial for anyone who is physically active or lives in a humid climate.
You can purchase a Zephyr or other hearing aid dryer to help manage moisture. First, turn the hearing aid off before placing it in the dryer (e.g., press and hold the on/off button for a rechargeable hearing aid or open the battery door for a disposable battery type). Then, allow the hearing aid to stay in the dryer for several hours. Reducing moisture helps keep the battery compartment free from corrosion. If you notice any visible corrosion in the battery compartment, you can use some electronics cleaner (used for cleaning computers or keyboards) on a cotton swab and wipe it down.
How to Clean Different Types of Hearing Aids
There are three types of hearing aids: RIC (Receiver-in-Canal), BTE (Behind-the-Ear), and custom devices. Each type requires slightly different methods for cleaning due to its design. Here’s how to clean each one:
RIC Hearing Aid
The receiver and microphone ports are the most important parts to clean and monitor for dirt and debris with a RIC hearing. The receiver sits behind a dome tip or earmold and is more susceptible to earwax and other debris that can build up because it is placed directly in the ear canal. To ensure good sound quality, replace the wax guard regularly. Wax guards differ by manufacturer, but your audiologist will explain how to change these small, white filters. At a minimum, replace them once per month or more frequently if you have a lot of wax build-up.
BTE Hearing Aid
For a BTE, there are also two components to consider: the earmold and the microphone ports. It’s essential to keep the earmold free of wax build or debris. You can use dental floss as a vent cleaner to clean out the vents (small holes in the earmold) or a wax loop to help remove wax or visible debris. Use a brush on the microphone ports to remove any wax build-up.
Custom Hearing Aids
Since custom devices are made specifically for each user’s ear shape and size, they require special attention when cleaning. Start by wiping off the ear canal portion of the hearing aid with a non-alcohol-based wipe. A wax loop can help remove any wax or debris from the vent. Changing the wax filters regularly is essential to prevent the internal components from obstructing due to wax and debris.
What Causes Problems With Hearing Aids?
The most common causes for issues with hearing aids are dirt build-up from not properly cleaning them regularly or moisture getting into them from sweat, environmental conditions (such as humidity), or even hairspray. If your device isn’t working properly after trying these steps, it might be time to consult a professional who can diagnose and repair any potential problems quickly.
When to See Your Hearing Care Professional
Throughout your hearing aid warranty, you’ll want to see your hearing care provider every six months for regular maintenance. Your provider will thoroughly clean the hearing aids and check them for any problems. Regular maintenance keeps your hearing aids in good working condition and catches issues before they cause havoc.
Tips to Keep Your Hearing Aids in Good Shape
- Follow daily maintenance. Use a toothbrush to clean your hearing aid and brush off any wax or debris in the morning. Wipe the hearing aids off with a tissue or alcohol-free wipe.
- Replace the wax guard regularly. If you have a RIC or custom hearing aid, replace your wax guards regularly (at minimum, monthly).
- See your hearing healthcare provider every six months to have BTE tubing replaced.
- Schedule regular hearing aid maintenance appointments. This helps keep your hearing aid in good working condition and catch any problems.
Conclusion:
Keeping your hearing aids clean is essential for maintaining their performance over time. Thorough cleaning of your hearing aids —including any exposed areas like microphone vents—will help ensure that dirt and moisture don’t build up inside them, causing problems such as poor sound quality or muffled hearing. If you ever experience issues with your device, consult a professional who can diagnose and repair any potential problems quickly so that you can continue enjoying clear sound for years.
