3 Tips for Cleaning Hearing Aids

Your hearing aids are likely one of the more expensive investments you’ve made in your health. As such, it is important to keep them clean in order for them to continue to function as well as they did on day one. During your hearing aid fitting appointment, your audiologist taught you how to properly clean your hearing aids. A reminder or refresher course is always a good idea, however. Consider the following tips and tricks for keeping your hearing aids clean and working well:

1. Follow a simple routine — and stick to it. Cleaning your hearing aids doesn’t have to take much time, as long as you do it daily. Establish a cleaning routine to keep while in between visits with your audiologist. A simple routine to follow includes:
   1. Brushing dry earwax off of custom molds
   2. Storing hearing aids in a dry place, away from humid locations
   3. Checking for any damage on the hearing aid shell or tubing
   4. Changing the batteries as necessary
2. Keep earwax at bay. While earwax is a completely natural occurring substance, sometimes people produce too much of it. When this happens, hearing aids can become blocked with earwax. If you find earwax on your hearing aids, use a wax pick to remove any buildup. Do not use a wax pick in your ears. Instead, clean your ears daily with a warm washcloth during a shower or bath, making sure to dry them thoroughly after cleaning.
3. Minimize moisture. Moisture build up can wreak havoc on a good pair of hearing aids. Make sure to avoid moisture by storing them in a safe, dry container whenever you take them out. Additionally, keep your hearing aids safe by taking them out if you plan on swimming, sweating or being in a very humid environment.

Hearing aids are incredibly advanced pieces of technology, but they are prone to issues if they’re not properly cared for. Make sure to follow in close detail the instructions your audiologist provided regarding hearing aid care and maintenance.

Additionally, it’s important to schedule follow-up appointments with your audiologist to ensure your hearing aids remain in proper shape. Your audiologist will examine your hearing aids periodically and provide a professional cleaning.