Whether you wear an in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) or behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, it’s important that you clean your device regularly. After all, this can prevent damage and extend the longevity of your hearing aids so that you’re able to enjoy the benefits for longer. Cleaning your hearing aids will allow for optimal performance.
What Happens If You Do Not Clean Your Hearing Aids?
Failing to clean or properly maintain your hearing aids can lead to a range of issues. For example, it could mean that dust, dirt and even bacteria begin to build up on the device, blocking microphones and sound ports. This, in turn, could mean that your device no longer picks up or amplifies sound effectively.
Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
The first step toward properly cleaning your hearing aids is checking whether the manufacturer has published a cleaning guide. While many of the techniques used to clean hearing aids are the same across the board, this ensures that you are caring for your device as well as possible. If unsure, you could consult with your audiologist before getting started, they will guide you in how you can effectively clean and maintain your hearing aids.
Wash Your Hands
Before you begin to clean your hearing aids, you should ensure that you first clean and dry your hands. Failing to do so could mean that you transfer dirt and bacteria from your hands to the device, causing further damage to your hearing aids.
Use A Dry Cloth
Once you’ve washed your hands, you should use a soft, dry cloth to clean the external surface of your hearing aids. This will remove any residual dirt and bacteria from your device and also give you the chance to examine your hearing aids for further signs of damage. While you may feel tempted to use more typical cleaning products, such as wipes, avoid doing so. This is because moisture and chemicals can actually cause further damage to your device.
Use Specialist Cleaning Tools
You can also get specialist cleaning tools for hearing aids that your audiologist can recommend, such as brushes or devices for removing residual and built-up earwax. When using these tools, remember to be as gentle as possible. Hearing aids can be fragile, and it’s better to go slowly and take your time than it is to cause further damage.
Schedule A Professional Cleaning
If you’ve had your hearing aids for some time or do not know how to clean your hearing aids, you may want to arrange for your devices to be professionally cleaned. An audiologist will have all of the tools on hand to complete this task to a high standard and will also be able to carry out any other repairs that may be necessary.
Taking care of your hearing aids for optimal performance minimizes the need for repairs and also reduces the chances of them breaking down. It is something that you should make a priority moving forward. Ideally, you should clean your hearing aids daily, as the task does not take more than a few minutes.
