How to Properly Clean and Store Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are essential pieces of equipment for many individuals experiencing varying degrees of hearing loss and conditions like tinnitus. These devices not only improve your hearing abilities but also significantly enhance your quality of life. Therefore, it’s imperative to keep them in optimal condition.

Developing a maintenance routine is critical to proper hearing aid performance, but the good news is, keeping your devices clean and functional is actually pretty simple. Below, we’ll dive into what you need to do to properly clean and store your hearing aids as recommended by our audiologists.

Cleaning Your Hearing Aids

Regular cleaning of hearing aids is not just a recommendation, it’s a necessity. Ensuring these vital devices are properly maintained can significantly improve their lifespan and function, contributing to your overall hearing experience. Cleaning your hearing aids doesn’t require a degree in audiology or expensive, specialized equipment – just a few minutes of your time and care each day.

Start with the earpiece or dome – the part of the hearing aid that nestles comfortably inside your ear. This section often collects earwax, skin particles and other tiny forms of residue from daily use. To clean it, gently use a soft, dry cloth or the cleaning brush typically provided by your audiologist at the time of dispensing. Lightly sweeping these tools over the surface will safely remove these particles without causing any harm to the sensitive pieces of technology hidden inside.

Next, turn your attention to the microphone and receiver – the ‘input’ and ‘output’ areas of your hearing aid. These tiny openings are where sound enters areas of your hearing aid and is then projected into your ear. As time goes by, they can become clogged with debris. Gently clean these areas with the same brush you used for the earpiece. It’s crucial to approach this task delicately, ensuring you do not use any wet cleaning methods or insert any sharp objects into these openings as these could cause irreversible damage.

The last part of the cleaning process focuses on the body of the hearing aid. This area is typically more resistant to dirt and earwax, but it can still accumulate dust and may be exposed to moisture during use. A swift wipe with a soft, dry cloth should suffice in maintaining the exterior’s cleanliness.

Storing Your Hearing Aids

Safe and proper storage of your hearing aids is just as important as the cleaning process. If you want your hearing aids to last as long as possible, and you want to ensure it works as efficiently as possible during that time, then proper storage is paramount.

Your hearing aids should be kept in a cool, dry place when they’re not accompanying you through your day. The storage case provided by your audiologist is specifically designed to protect them from potentially damaging elements, such as moisture and dust. This dedicated storage space can significantly contribute to the longevity and maintenance of the performance of your hearing aids.

Be cautious to avoid exposing your hearing aids to extreme temperatures, as this can harm the intricate electronic components inside them. Whether it’s a hot car in summer or a chilly windowsill in winter, these extremes in temperature can lead to malfunction.

Similarly, remember to store your devices where they are safe from curious pets or children who might accidentally damage them.

Remove Batteries When Not in Use

Last, but not least, make a habit of removing the batteries if you’re not planning to use your hearing aids for an extended period of time. This practice prevents the possibility of battery leakage and corrosion, which can cause more extensive damage to your hearing aids.

Hearing aids require regular maintenance to function effectively and do their job for you. The good news is that cleaning and storage of these devices are straightforward tasks that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine no matter how little time you may have. By following the guidelines above, you can take good care of your hearing aids, so they can take good care of you.

Speak to an audiologist at Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids

If you have any questions about cleaning and storing your hearing aids, or if it’s time to schedule your next check-up, the team at Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids is here to help. Reach out to us at (605) 610-3466. Our qualified audiologists will be delighted to guide you through any concerns or queries you may have about hearing aids. Regular care, supported by expert advice, is the key to ensuring your hearing aids serve you well for years to come.