Cleaning Hearing Aids 101
You take your car in for oil changes, right? Hearing aids are like many other investments you make; they need routine cleaning and care. Your hearing aids go through the wringer – sweat, earwax, and other body oils – so regular care will prolong the life and quality of your hearing aids. Before I go into the 4 steps on cleaning hearing aids, I’ll tell you what hearing aid cleaning tools you’ll need and some tips on what not to do.
There are many stores or online options you can buy hearing aid cleaning kits from that contain most of these tools listed above. Likewise, some multi-tools can be purchased as well. There are other items you can use for hearing aid cleaning as well:
It is essential to make sure the disinfectant wipes are for hearing aid cleaning use only.
Your hearing aids are very valuable, so you must be delicate with them, especially around the microphone and receiver.
Now you have all your hearing aid cleaning supplies, so let’s get into how to clean hearing aids at home.
In-the-ear (ITE)/Custom, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids all will follow these 4 steps. Here you can see two very simplistic videos on cleaning.
- Use hearing aid brush to wipe away debris from the wax filter. If it doesn’t come clean, you can switch out the filter.
There is a stick with a new wax filter on one side, use the other side to remove the filter. Once removed, place new one in and tap it with finger to ensure it stays. Then continue to step 4.
-Use your thumbs to gently workout debris from the dome piece. You can change out the dome as well if it doesn’t come clean. Make sure to press on dome when switch firmly.
Likewise, there is a wax filter under the dome, so follow the same instructions for ITE.
-Earmold can be removed and washed with warm soapy water. Dry completely before attaching back to hearing aid.
Use a bulb blower to assist.
Though cleaning hearing aids is vital to do - it is also important to know how to clean your ears properly.
Click here to learn how to clean your ears.
A good rule of thumb is to schedule an appointment every 6 months to a year for a check-up and thorough cleaning of hearing aids. If you have any questions about cleaning hearing aids, contact Prescription Hearing. Now you know the best way to clean hearing aids in 4 easy steps; remember no using water or alcohol on your hearing aids while cleaning.
If you're a new hearing aid owner, don't worry, find out extra tips here.
Location
Prescription Hearing
12910 S. LaGrange Rd.
Palos Park, Illinois 60464
(708) 448-1234
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