To ensure good performance and the best possible hearing quality, regular and thorough clean hearing aids are essential. This is because our ear produces cerumen, which can interfere with and block the mechanism of the hearing aids. You will then have the impression that you hear less well or that your hearing aids no longer work.
What should I pay attention to when clean my hearing aids?
Although today’s hearing aids are small and unobtrusive, they are still devices with modern, powerful technology. To protect them, it is essential that they are carefully cared for.
Below are some general care tips:
Use a soft holder when cleaning your hearing aids, changing batteries, inserting or removing them. This will prevent damage to your hearing aid if it should fall out. If the fabric is a solid color, it will also help you find small accessories more easily. Hearing aids are usually not waterproof and should not be worn while swimming, showering or in the sauna. Make sure your ears are completely dry before inserting your hearing aids. If you wear a cap to protect your ears from the cold, you are also protecting your hearing aid. If you need to undergo an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan, you will need to remove your hearing aids. Be careful not to get cosmetic products such as makeup or hairspray on your hearing aids. Ideally, you should not use your hearing aids until you have applied all products. Below you will learn how to clean, dry and store your hearing aids so that you can enjoy them for as long as possible.
In-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids
Wipe your in-the-ear hearing aid with a soft, dry cloth or special wet wipes. These are available from your hearing care professional. Be careful not to get liquid into the microphone or any other opening of the hearing aid. An in-the-canal hearing aid is equipped with a filter system that ensures that no earwax gets into the canal. This filter system should be changed regularly. Cerumen can also be removed with brushes that are usually supplied with the hearing aid. Alternatively, soft toothbrushes can be used.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE)
For BTE hearing aids, the external speakers should be wiped daily with a dry wipe. This will allow you to remove the dome perfectly. Please refer to your hearing aid user guide for instructions on how to do this. You should soak the dome, the ear tube and the disconnected earmold of a BTE hearing system once a week to remove earwax. You can use either warm soapy water or a special cleaning agent for this purpose. Using a suitable box makes cleaning easier and faster. You should also check the ear tube and dome regularly. If the ear tubing is stiff, porous or cracked, it should be replaced. Ideally, you should see your hearing care professional as soon as you notice stiffening of the ear tube.
Other tips for clean hearing aids
It is best to inspect your hearing aids daily to make sure there is no visible dirt on them. If this is the case, gently rub them with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Never use alcohol or other aggressive cleaning agents or solvents for cleaning. Otherwise, the electronics may be damaged. Do not use sharp objects such as scissors or needles for cleaning your hearing aids, but use cleaning brushes specially designed for this purpose.
Drying and preserving hearing aids
After cleaning your hearing aids, you should dry all components thoroughly before reassembling them. Moisture can cause damage and malfunction and shorten the life of your hearing aids. If your hearing aids system does get wet, do not use hair dryers, heaters, microwaves or similar devices to dry it, as high heat can soften and deform the plastic parts and damage the built-in technology equipment. To ensure gentle and safe drying, you can use a small bellow, a drying box or a drying bag. These accessories are available from your hearing care professional. In general, it is recommended to store your hearing aid in a drying box at night. This box dries the hearing aid electrically and provides better cleaning with UV light. Make sure the battery compartment is open and the hearing aid battery is removed. Another method for drying your hearing aid is to use a dry bag or dry container. These use a chemical agent to absorb moisture, silica gel. Since hearing aids are very sensitive to moisture, radiation and heat, keep them in a clean and dry place. Be careful not to store them in the kitchen or bathroom, or near a heater. Choose a specific place, out of reach of children and pets.
Spare batteries and accumulators
Modern hearing aid technology can only work perfectly with the right batteries. Therefore, only special hearing aid batteries should be used. The life of a battery depends on its size, the hearing aid and how long it is worn. Most batteries should be changed every 1-2 weeks. Therefore, it may be helpful to always have an adequate supply of batteries on hand and to remember to carry spare batteries for longer trips. Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place. Nowadays, it is also possible to use hearing aids that are powered by a rechargeable battery rather than batteries. After charging, the battery guarantees a quiet listening experience for up to 24 hours.
Cleaning hearing aids
Since sweat and earwax can clog or gum up the microphone inputs and volume control, it is important to clean your hearing instruments daily and remove earwax. You can do this regular cleaning yourself. Professional cleaning by your hearing care professional is also possible, but not necessary for daily cleaning.