You can do a few simple things to care for your hearing aids. First of all, make sure to keep them away from moisture. You must also keep them clean by not handling them with oily or powdered hands. This is because body products or makeup can clog the input. To prevent this, you can clean your hearing aids with wipes or toiletries made specifically for cleaning hearing aids.
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1. Cleaning Your Hearing Aids
Cleaning your hearing aids is an important part of hearing aid care. If you do not clean them properly, dirt, earwax, dust, and moisture can build up within the device. To avoid this, it is best to clean them at night before going to bed. You can use a soft, dry cloth to clean the device at night. Make sure to keep the battery door open while cleaning the device.
Start wiping your hearing aid with a clean cloth. If you’re having difficulty cleaning a particular part, you can use a wax pick. Be gentle when using the pick. Next, inspect the battery compartment and battery contacts for debris. Once you’ve done these steps, wipe down the hearing aid with a dry cloth.
You can also buy special cleaning tools for cleaning your hearing aids at home. For example, you can buy a multi-tool with a brush and wax loop. This will help you easily remove debris and keep the device functioning optimally for many years.
2. Keep Away From Moisture
Keeping your hearing aids away from moisture is one of the easiest ways to care for them. Moisture can ruin the microphone and clog the tubing. It can also cause corrosion. Therefore, it is important to remove your hearing aids before swimming, sweating, or spending time in humid environments. The hearing aid is a very advanced piece of technology, and if you do not care for it properly, you could end up with problems. Make sure you follow the instructions provided by your audiologist.
While many hearing aids are waterproof, excessive exposure to moisture can ruin the electronics. Therefore, you should always keep them away from water and the washing machine, as this can destroy sensitive components. In addition, make sure that you store them in a safe case. Moisture can also short-circuit the electronics of your hearing aid.
One way to protect your hearing aids from water is to cover them with a hat or use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can be used to clean your hearing aids overnight.
3. Managing Earwax
If you find removing earwax from your hearing aid difficult, you should seek professional advice. An otolaryngologist is an expert in ear care and can use precise instruments to safely remove the wax without damaging your hearing aid. For example, an otolaryngologist uses a suspended surgical microscope to see deep inside the ear canal and can use a speculum to dilate the ear canal.
You can also use a bulb syringe, which you can purchase over the counter. Fill it with warm water and hold it near the ear opening while gently squeezing to clear away earwax. It’s best to use this method over a sink or bathtub so that it doesn’t damage the ear drum. Be careful not to squirt too hot or cold water because this can damage the hearing aid.
If you have hearing loss, a referral to your child’s GP, Advanced Practice Audiologist, or ENT is the best way to get expert advice and treatment. The GP or hearing specialist should monitor your child’s earwax management. The health professional should also provide ongoing advice to help you manage earwax safely.
4. Avoiding Hairspray
Avoid hairspray if you want to keep your hearing aids in good shape. The chemicals in hairspray can gum up the microphone in your hearing aids and affect the sound you receive from them. To prevent this, you should avoid spraying hairspray on your hearing aids and store them in a box provided by your hearing healthcare provider.
Final Words
Alternatively, you can use a dry-n-store dehumidifying box to store your hearing aids. However, before putting your hearing aids into the dehumidifying box, you should always remove the batteries.