Of approximately 4 million individuals who invest in hearing aid technology every year, 90 percent are satisfied with their purchase and would recommend them to a friend with a hearing loss. Hearing aids have the capacity to transform your life, allowing you to experience the rewarding and independent wine country lifestyle you love.
However, like all digital technology, hearing aids need a little TLC to ensure they perform as designed. Some basic tips to keep your ears and hearing aids free of debris ensure that you continue to receive all the benefits of your hearing aids and extend their service life.
Earwax and Hearing Aids
The purpose of earwax is to clean dirt and debris from your ears. Foreign material clings to the sticky, wax-like oil, which works its way out of the ear canal. Unless you produce excessive earwax, let nature take its course.
Instead of digging into your ears with a cotton swab or using OTC products for excessive earwax production, which have the potential to cause damage, consult your audiologist who has the right resources for handling earwax.
Although earwax is a benefit to your ears, it is the enemy of your hearing aids. A build up of wax and debris inside your device can block the receiver, causing feedback (high-pitched whistling) and/or muffled sounds.
Earwax buildup can degrade the delicate technology used in your hearing aids. A regular cleaning schedule ensures that your device is free of foreign substances and earwax.
5 Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Hearing Aids
We have put together a few tips to ensure that your hearing aids are properly cared for. Referring to the specific guidelines for cleaning and maintenance provided by your hearing care provider and/or manufacturer, you can use our tips as a reminder or checklist for your routine.
- Gather the proper tools. Tools include a soft, dry cloth, a soft bristle brush, a wax pick, and a special drying area and/or ball blower. Do not get too aggressive and avoid using any kind of cleaning solvent to prevent damaging your device.
- Clean your device at the beginning or end of each day. Many clean their devices when they take them out at night while others prefer cleaning them before their morning hygiene routine.
- Avoid moisture. Removing your hearing aids during your hygiene routine avoids moisture and the degrading solvents used in hair products. Take them out before going into a pool, hot tub, steam room, or sauna.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. The dashboard or the windowsill in your home exposes your hearing aids to extreme heat as well as UV damage. Wearing them while shoveling snow from the sidewalk exposes them to condensation.
- Schedule regular, professional cleaning and maintenance. Just like an oil change and frequent tune-ups are necessary for your car, so is regular professional maintenance and cleaning for your hearing devices. Professional cleaning and maintenance is necessary at least twice a year or whenever you notice the slightest damage or performance changes to your device.
Park Place Hearing Provides Cleaning and Maintenance Support
We understand the great advantages hearing aids provide to our patients, so we do whatever is necessary to make sure that you get the most benefit from your device. The hearing aid technicians at Park Place Hearing provide cleaning, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting support for hearing aid wearers in Sonoma and Marin Counties.
If you or a loved one’s device is not performing like it used to or is struggling with cleaning or want to schedule a semi-annual tune-up, then contact us for the support you need.
