Caring for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids aren’t inexpensive, and most insurance does not cover hearing aids.  Those tiny miracles of technology need proper care if you are going to get your money’s worth.

Your hearing aids are made up of three different parts, and each part should be cared for appropriately. No matter the part of the aid you are cleaning, always clean over a surface covered with a towel or other soft cloth.  This will cushion the fall and minimize chances for damage if you drop your aid while cleaning it.

Care for the Hearing Aid Shell

The shell is the surface of your hearing aid.  Whether you wear a behind-the-ear (BTE) or in the ear (ITE) model, full shell or half shell, think of the “case” of the hearing aid as the shell.  It is important to keep the shell clean as build up of debris may make it fit improperly or become uncomfortable to wear.

The shell is subject to build up of ear wax and oils, dandruff, and other debris.  Never use any chemical to clean your hearing aids.  Use a soft cloth, such as an old tee-shirt or a tissue to gently wipe down the shell to remove wax and debris.  You can also utilize the brush that came with your aid to clean away debris.  If stubborn wax remains, you can dampen your soft cloth with a drop of water and then wipe again.  Never wipe your aids with a saturated cloth.  Your cloth should never be more than slightly damp when cleaning your hearing aids.

Care for the Receiver

The receiver, which is commonly the part in your ear canal, collects wax quickly, and it must be gently cleaned every day.  Failure to keep the receiver clean will lead to wax build up.  Wax build up in the receiver is one of the most common causes of hearing aid failure, so don’t skip this step!  In addition to wiping daily with a soft cloth or tissue at the same time you clean the shell, you may need to remove built-up wax from the receiver.  Use only the wax-pick tool provided with your hearing aid. Gently insert the pick into the receiver opening until you meet with slight resistance. Do not force the pick!  Gently scoop out the wax.  Repeat until the receiver is clean.

Care for the Microphone

The microphone is the most delicate part of your hearing aid.  Use the brush provided to sweep away any debris or build up from the microphone.  When cleaning this portion of your hearing aid, make sure the microphone is pointed down. This way the debris that is dislodged will fall out of the aid, instead of back into the aid.

Wax Guards and Filters for Hearing Aids

The wax produced by your ears is completely natural.  It is also your hearing aid’s natural enemy.  Many hearing aid models now come with wax guards or wax filters.  Be sure to talk to your audiologist about these features when selecting your hearing aid.