How to Clean OTC Hearing Aids

Why is it important to know how to clean hearing aids? Well,  good hearing health is essential to our overall health and well-being. Ensuring that your hearing aids are clean and well-maintained is a major part. Hearing aids accumulate a lot of wax and dirt over time, leading to poor sound quality, distortion, and even breakdowns. Therefore, it is important to take the time to clean and maintain your hearing aids regularly. Cleaning your hearing aids will help keep them in good working order,  make sure your sound is clear, and extend your life. Cleaning is also essential for preventing potential problems, such as skin irritation, wax build-up, battery life drainage, and sound quality deterioration. 

Hearing Aid Cleaning Tools

Hearing aid cleaning tools are essential for ensuring hearing aids remain safe and efficient. Damage can cause discomfort and can lead to a significant deterioration of a person’s hearing aids. Regular cleaning removes dirt and wax, allowing sound to pass through the hearing aid more easily and efficiently. Without regular cleaning, the hearing aid will accumulate moisture and wax build-up, making it difficult for sound to pass through, and can cause a decrease in sound quality. Additionally, bacteria and other contaminants which build up on hearing aids can cause skin allergies and infections, which can be extremely uncomfortable. This buildup can also reduce the effectiveness of the hearing aid, leading to  decreased hearing ability. Regular cleaning with the appropriate tools is the best way to maintain a hearing aid’s effectiveness and preserve its useful life. 

Hearing Aid Cleaning Brush

One of the  best hearing aid cleaning tools you can use  is the Soundwave Cleaning Brush with Wax Loop and Magnet.  This hearing aid cleaning accessory has a brush and a wax loop that gently removes wax and skin debris. The brush is made of soft EVA, designed to avoid scratching or damaging your hearing aid. The magnet design also makes removing and inserting batteries easier without damaging your hearing aid. This  useful tool is included in your purchase of Sontro® Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids. 

Hearing Aid Dehumidifier

Another excellent accessory is a hearing aid dehumidifier from Serene Innovations. This dryer box can  help your hearing aid stay clean and dry by warming it to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature encourages moisture to evaporate and eliminates harmful microscopic particles. You can choose between two, four, and eight-hour drying cycles to suit your needs. 

Audio Wipes

Some towelettes are  specially designed to clean hearing aids. Audio Wipes have no alcohol content, so they will not erode any of the materials that make up your hearing aid. These audio wipes come individually packaged or  in large packages. So, when you’re looking for a hearing aid accessory to benefit daily use, Audio Wipes are an excellent choice. 

How Often Should You Clean Hearing Aids?

Ear wax builds up more quickly when you first start using hearing aids, but it will decrease over time. Routine cleaning is important for keeping your hearing aids in working order, as wax buildup and debris  can impact sound quality. But when addressing how often to clean hearing aids, there are two answers: daily and weekly. In terms of daily basics, making a morning routine for yourself can help you hold yourself accountable. Morning is the best time to clean your hearing aids because they dry overnight. Additionally, you should do a more thorough cleaning on a weekly basis. 

How to Clean Hearing Aids

When addressing how to clean hearing aids, it is important to  read your hearing aid user manual! For daily cleaning, you should use a clean, dry cloth. As previously mentioned, it is a good idea to do so in the morning so that your hearing aids have dried. You should use a hearing aid cleaning tool to remove wax from the exterior. Then, you can use the wax loop on the other end to clean out the interior of the ear dome. As for the receiver wire and exterior ear dome, audiology cleaning wipes or microfiber cloths should be used. 

A Caution for Cleaning

It’s important to  take proper care of your hearing aids, including during cleaning. You mustn’t get them wet, as this can cause serious damage to them. Water can corrode delicate electrical components, cause short-circuiting, and even permanently damage the hearing aid. Water can also affect the sound quality of the hearing aid, rendering it difficult for the user to hear anything. Even moisture from sweat or humidity can damage the hearing aid, causing the microphone to sound muffled. In addition, water can get trapped in the tubing of the hearing aid, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. To avoid costly repairs and prevent exposure to bacteria, it is best to keep hearing aids dry at all times.

Long-Term Care of Your Hearing Aids

Soundwave suggests changing hearing aid accessories like wax guards, ear domes, and sports locks every two to three months. This will help keep your hearing aids cleaner and help increase their lifespan. Other parts, like receiver wires, can become stiff over time. This can influence fit, comfort, and sound quality. Whenever you notice an issue, you can order replacements to keep your hearing aids feeling good as new. 

Hear Better With Soundwave

Soundwave Hearing is an OTC hearing aid brand founded on simplicity, affordability, and convenience. We aim to minimize the time, cost, and stigma barriers when wearing hearing aids. Our otoTune® app uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence so that you can customize your hearing aids from the comfort of your own home. For individuals experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss, Soundwave’s affordable and customizable hearing aids can help you lead a healthy, active lifestyle. So, trust Soundwave and purchase your Sontro Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids today!