While we use our senses and all our body parts every day, we don’t realize how much they help us accomplish. It’s not often we think about how good we have things, right? Our senses are what allow us to relate to the surroundings around us, and so when they are impaired in any way, it can cause discomfort. Our sense of hearing is one such example—it plays a significant role in our day-to-day interactions. Individuals, particularly those that have gradual hearing loss, use hearing aids to help them stay connected with their world. But, like any other electronic devices, hearing aids, too, need to be taken care of properly through dedicated maintenance and cleaning. This will help them function longer and effectively.
Hearing aids are used to help improve communication and the overall quality of life for those that have hearing loss. They are devices that amplify sounds, which makes it easier to participate in conversations, enjoy music, and especially be part of social interactions.
Why Hearing Aids Matter
As hearing loss becomes more prevalent with age, people can find things like daily conversations, family gatherings, and even work-related communication increasingly challenging. This can lead to a lot of frustrating thoughts and the feeling of being isolated—hearing aids are designed to specifically address these challenges.
Types of Hearing Aids
Understanding the different types of hearing aids can help you better take care of the ones you may have. Hearing aids vary in styles and target specific hearing needs and preferences. There are a few common types:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids
BTE hearing aids are the most common and traditional type of these devices. As mentioned in the name, they are placed behind the ear and are connected to a custom ear mold or dome that rests in the ear canal. This type of hearing aid is easier to clean and maintain—they are best for mild to severe hearing loss.
In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids
ITE hearing aids are designed to be placed completely inside the outer ear. They are less noticeable than BRW hearing aids and are best for mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s important to remember that ITE hearing aids need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of earwax.
In-the-Canal (ITC) and Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids
ITC and CIC hearing aids are smaller compared to the ones above, and they are placed either partially or completely within the ear canal. They are best for mild to moderate hearing loss and are often chosen because they are much more discreet. While they have their benefits, ITC and CIC hearing aids are susceptible to earwax buildup and need to be cleaned frequently.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids
RIC hearing aids have features that are a combination of BTE and ITE hearing aids. They have a much smaller receiver that is placed inside the ear canal, and the rest of the device is placed behind the ear. These are popular because they are compact, comfortable, and provide clear sound quality.
While each type of hearing aid can have specific requirements when it comes to their care, there are general points to keep in mind for regular cleaning and professional maintenance.
Essential Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Hearing Aids
Daily cleaning routine: Essential for longevity
This is the most basic form of maintaining hearing aids—daily cleaning! While it can be cumbersome to think of doing it every day, it’s an important factor to consider. The buildup of earwax, moisture, dust, and oils on the hearing aid device can impact how they perform. Cleaning the device daily will make sure that the hearing aids function at their best at all times and for a longer duration.
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth: Wipe the surface of the hearing aids gently using a dry, soft cloth at the end of each day to remove dirt, dust, and oils.
- Remove earwax buildup: There are small removable filters or a protective mesh in hearing aids where ear wax builds up. Clean this daily using a soft brush; this will help prevent any blockages.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals: When cleaning hearing aids, don’t use any cleaning products or sprays that are not meant for hearing aids. This can damage the internal and external components of the device.
- Check for moisture: If you see that there is moisture on the device, use a cloth to dry it off gently. Don’t submerge hearing aids in liquid or water at any time.
Weekly deep cleaning: Thorough maintenance for optimal function
Once a week, maybe on a weekend when the days are a bit more free, thoroughly clean your hearing aids. This will help in removing any deep buildup of earwax or dust.
- Clean the ear mold (for BTE devices): If the hearing aids have a removable ear mold, use warm soapy water to clean it. You can also use a small brush to clean wax buildup in the tubing, but make sure the mold is fully dry before attaching it to the hearing aid.
- Use a wax removal tool: Many hearing aids come with a cleaning kit where they have the needed tools to clean small parts of the device, like the receiver or microphone. Use these tools to remove any wax or debris that may be blocking sound transmission.
- Check the microphone: Being one of the key parts of a hearing aid’s performance, the microphone needs to be gently cleared using a brush to make sure there is no debris blocking it.
Proper storage: Protecting your devices
When you are not wearing your hearing aids—some people can take them out at night, for example—make sure that you keep them in a safe place to avoid any damage from moisture, dust, or physical impact.
- Use a dehumidifier: There are dehumidifiers that are made for hearing aids, and these small devices help remove the moisture, especially in humid weather.
- Keep them in a case: Don’t keep your hearing aids open or exposed; use a case for them to help prevent damage from accidental drops or environmental factors like dust or moisture.
- Turn them off: To make sure your battery is saved, turn off your hearing aids when you are not using them.
Avoiding physical damage
Hearing aids, because of their accessible nature, are made to be durable, but they can still be sensitive to certain types of impact. So, avoiding physical damage is, of course, important.
- Store in a safe place: Keep them in a safe place where they can’t easily be dropped or damaged, like a drawer or cupboard.
- Handle gently: When you are inserting, removing, or cleaning your hearing aids, be gentle with them so they don’t drop or be impacted by any excessive force.
Battery maintenance: Power at all times
This is, of course, important to make sure that your hearing aids are functionally working. When there is a low battery, there can be distortion and cutoffs, which can be very frustrating.
- Replace batteries regularly: Commonly, hearing aids can last anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks depending on how frequently they are being used. It’s a good idea to replace your batteries when it’s needed.
- Store batteries properly: Keep the batteries for your hearing aids in a cool and dry place; this will increase the shelf life.
- Remove batteries when not in use: If you’re not going to use your hearing aids for a certain period of time, remove the batteries to prevent leakage or corrosion.
Professional care: Regular check-ups
Make regular appointments with your audiologist to make sure that your hearing aids are in great condition. Professional cleaning and checkups will help catch any issues early.
- Get your hearing aids checked: Audiologists can check for internal damage, calibration settings, and make sure your hearing aids fit you well.
- Proper fitting: Over time, the shape of your ears may change, and you may need to adjust the fit of your hearing aids. Your audiologist can help you with this to make sure they remain comfortable and effective.
Common Hearing Aid Issues And Solutions
There are some common problems that people experience with hearing aids. Understanding them can help you address them quicker and prevent any damage, inconvenience or complications.
Distorted sound quality
If the sound quality of the hearing aid becomes muffled or disordered, it could be because of earwax buildup, a clogged microphone, or a faulty battery. To help this, clean the earwax buildup, check the microphone for any possible debris, and replace the battery if needed.
Whistling or feedback sounds
Sounds of whistling or feedback can happen if the hearing aid is not placed properly in the ear or if there is earwax buildup. To help this, check if the device fits you well, clean any earwax that could be there, and make sure that the hearing aid is placed properly in your ear.
Device not turning on
If your hearing aid is not working or turning on, it could be because the battery is dead, there is internal damage, or there is some type of blockage. To help this, replace the battery first, and if that doesn’t work, then speak to your audiologist so they can inspect the device better.
FAQs
How often should I clean my hearing aids?
You should clean your hearing aids daily and do a deep cleaning weekly. This will help remove any buildup of dust, debris, or earwax.
Can I use water to clean my hearing aids?
No, hearing aids should never be put under water, so cleaning it with water could damage it. Instead, use a cloth that is dry or damp, but don’t get the device wet.
Can I wear hearing aids in the rain or while exercising?
Most hearing aids are developed to be water-resistant, but it’s still best to avoid them being exposed to the rain or a lot of moisture. Always remove them when you’re swimming or if there is heavy rain.
