Step-by-step guide to a longer duration.
Like many things, hearing aids need a little TLC to keep them working their best. The better you take care of hearing aids, the better they will support your hearing in the future.
Proper hearing aid cleaning starts with adding the right tools to your hearing aid cleaning kit. Having good tools for cleaning your hearing aids will help combat the two leading causes of problems: moisture and wax. Recommended hearing aid cleaning tools include:
Some tools are included with your Miracle-Ear hearing aid purchase, and others can be bought separately. Hearing aid cleaning kits contain many of the items listed above and can be purchased at Miracle-Ear stores. Multi-tools that combine several cleaning tools in one are also useful options.
Cleaning hearing aids in the morning: After your hearing aids have had time to dry out overnight, use the pick or brush to remove any excess wax. Gently wipe down the microphone cover to clean off any debris or leftover wax. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the entire device.
Cleaning hearing aids at night: Use your soft cloth to wipe down the entire hearing aid to remove any wax and debris that might have built up during the day. Remove the batteries and leave the battery door open overnight, if applicable. This helps air out the device and extends the battery life of your hearing aids. Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place overnight, or use a dehumidifier or drying jar.
Cleaning your hearing aids at the beginning and end of your day ensures that your hearing aids are in good shape after a day of use and sets them up to be ready for the next. By establishing a consistent daily routine, you can keep your devices in top condition and make cleaning an easy process.
Tip #3: Clean according to your device
Creating a cleaning routine is an important first step in properly caring for your hearing aids, but that routine is most useful when it's adapted to your specific type of hearing aid. While you can use general cleaning techniques on a daily basis, incorporate these model-specific cleaning practices on a weekly basis.
If you have an ITE hearing aid:
If you have RIC hearing aids:
If you have an BTE hearing aid:
Excessive moisture is one of the biggest causes of hearing aid problems. Protect them against water or soap damage by remembering to take them off during any part of your daily routine when they might get wet. Whether you're swimming, bathing or showering, hearing aids must be removed. Your devices should also be removed when you apply hair products like sprays or gels.
If you turn on the water with your hearing aids still on, don't panic - you have options. Just take them off immediately, remove the batteries and leave the battery door open to air it out. Whatever you do, never use heat to dry out hearing aids. Putting hearing aids in the microwave or using a hair dryer will melt your hearing aids and cause significantly more damage to your devices. Explore Miracle-Ear's resources on drying out hearing aids to learn more about how you can safely dry out your devices.
If you're an active person or you're going to be breaking a sweat during a workout, you can actually keep wearing your hearing aids! Wear a sweatband or sleeve designed for hearing aids to minimize moisture during the workout and make a post-workout cleaning routine to remove any moisture afterwards.
Your hearing aids are powerful tools, but they still need to be handled with care during the cleaning process. Gentle handling and cleaning of your hearing aids will help prevent accidental damage. No matter what model of hearing aids you might have, keep a few general guidelines in mind as you clean.
Having a clean work surface is a crucial first step in proper hearing aid maintenance. Before you start cleaning your devices, make sure your hands are clean to avoid transferring any germs onto the hearing aids. Place the devices on a clean cloth to give yourself a safe work surface and keep all parts of your hearing aids together as you clean.
Also, keep in mind that you should not apply heat to your hearing aids. Placing them in the microwave or using a hair dryer on them can cause irreversible damage.
