Taking care of your hearing aids is absolutely essential to ensuring they perform at their highest level for the longest amount of time. Part of caring for them is making sure you have a regular cleaning schedule in place. The other part involves having the right tools to keep them clean and free from damage.
Tips for Caring for Hearing Aids 
- Clean your device every night before bed. Wipe off your hearing aids with a cloth or use a cleaning brush as a part of regular maintenance.
- Turn off hearing aids when they aren’t being used.
- Keep your hearing aids away from heat or moisture.
- Store them in a cool, dry place at night.
- Replace dead batteries immediately.
- Schedule regular visits every six months to a year with your hearing aid expert to check for any needed adjustments or repairs.
Best Tools for Hearing Aid Maintenance
In order to implement an effective cleaning routine, it’s best to have the right tools around you. Here are a few of our recommendations.
- Cleaning brush. Soft-bristled brushes help remove dirt and other debris that collects on the outside of your device, and the bristles can also be used to get inside the holes of your hearing aid to remove particles and debris.
- Ventilation cleaner. This wire-like tool can remove moisture and earwax from the vent found on most in-the-ear models. Both of which can cause your hearing aids to malfunction.
- Wax guard. These are small plastic screens that attach to your hearing aid and prevent wax from building up on the device. They are typically used in behind-the-ear and receiver-in-ear models. They should be replaced every 1-2 months.
- Drying boxes or dehumidifiers. Moisture buildup has the potential to cause a lot of damage to your device. Drying boxes use air, heat or even UV lighting to remove excess moisture, while dehumidifiers use desiccants. They also act as a great storage spot for your hearing aids when you take them out at night.
Cleaning to Prevent Ear Issues
In addition to protecting your device, regularly cleaning your hearing aid may protect your ears as well. Research has shown that hearing aids can alter flora in the ear canal, and not the kind of flora you’d find hiking through Heron Haven. Rather hearing aid users had more bacteria and fungi in their ear swab samples which have the potential to cause infection and irritation.
By engaging in regular cleaning practices with the right tools, you can help remove bacteria and fungi from your hearing aid which may reduce the risk of ear infection or irritation.
To learn more about hearing aid tools or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact Central Plains ENT today.
