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Millions of Americans currently use hearing aids, which effectively helps solve problems with hearing. Sometimes, they are the only affordable way to return the lives of people to their usual course.
Thanks to these tools, you can forget about all the hardships with hearing.I have prepared some hearing aid cleaning instructions, and I hope that they’ll help to extend the life of your devices at no cost. I highly recommend reading this article. It contains all the necessary information, which, I am sure, will help you out more than once.
Why should I clean my hearing aids?
Like any electronic device, a hearing aid requires special handling and timely service. You need to take care of your device daily, to maximize its life.
We all understand that over time, hearing aid performance deteriorates. Various effects appear that interfere with the normal use of the device, for example, in some devices, noise may appear or settings may be lost, and in some cases, the volume level is insufficient. Our leading audiologist, Dr. Stella Fulman, notes that people are increasingly turning to the clinic with similar problems.
This leads to the fact that the device is not able to perform as well as it should and the person once again is not hearing as well as he/she was. This, in turn, interferes with the restoration of the lost hearing and, at times, can aggravate the existing problems.
To avoid this, you need to know some hearing aids cleaning methods. Today I’ll consider them in more detail and I hope that you’ll get the most out of what you read!
Here are our simple but irreplaceable cleaning tips!
I have prepared some tips for cleaning hearing aids. They’ll help you quickly, safely, and efficiently clean your device. Before you begin, you must first determine the model and type of hearing aids you are using, because the cleaning process for each device is individual.
(BTE). The model is quite common and all its components, including a speaker, microphone, and processor, are located behind the auricle. A distinctive feature of the model is a flexible transparent tube, which has a tip at the end. This tip is designed to be inserted into the ear and create a kind of tunnel that directs sound signals into the ear canal. The device does not contain electrical wires and other similar components. This is what makes it unique and not like hearing aids with a receiver (RIC).
(RIC). The model is similar to the above, but unlike (BTE), it has a wire that is covered with flexible plastic. Inside the tip, there is a small speaker, which is also called a receiver. It connects to the wire and is inserted into the ear.
(ITE). The model is distinguished by the fact that it completely covers the shell of the ear. Sometimes, such devices are too large and bulky, and sometimes so small that they are almost invisible to the eyes.
Now, having decided on the model of the hearing aid, you can safely begin to clean it. I recommend you use special cleaning tools for hearing aids. Thanks to them, the cleaning process will not take much time, and the result will be the best.
How to clean the BTE model?
I recommend using a special brush to clean the case of the device. A thin wire is another indispensable tool. With it, you can easily remove dirt from the flexible tube of the hearing aid.
You can also try disconnecting the tube with the earmold from the actual hook on the device and clean the earmold part separately.
It is advisable to move the wire like cleaning tool several times in the tube and finally wipe its end securely in the hook of the hearing aid.
For some BTE units, you may clean the tubing and earmold with water or a damp cloth. Check your user’s guide to see if you are able to use water on your BTE. If allowed, separate completely from the microphone before cleaning. Use a bulb blower to remove any water from the tube and allow to dry overnight. Clean hearing aids and remove batteries nightly.
How to clean the RIC model?
Use a special brush connected to the wire loop to remove dirt. It is also called a wax loop, and it is perfectly fit for cleaning ear wax in hard to reach places. Be careful not to poke the brush too far in, as the receiver is the actual part of your hearing aid that provides sound and it is vital not to damage it in order for it to work properly. You can also use a microfiber cloth to brush over the microphone portion of the device.
How to clean the ITE model?
A fairly effective wax loop method is often used to clean your hearing aids. All components are perfectly cleaned with a soft cloth.
I want to note that the complete removal of the charger and its subsequent installation is suitable for all models. The same applies to methods aimed at cleaning the tip of the body and microphones. It is very important not to damage the speaker and not pierce it with a brush.
Remember also that the tubes and tips of hearing aids can change their shape and become discolored over time. I recommend replacing them approximately every 3-4 months. Many people have solved the problems associated with the problematic operation of devices with the help of new nozzles and tubes.
At Audiology Island, we care about your health and do everything we can to make your daily life easier. Today I looked at a few simple ways to help keep your hearing aids clean. Thus, you protect your devices from dangerous bacteria and germs.
You’ll significantly extend the life of your indispensable assistants and forget about the problems associated with their failure and reconfiguration. Chat with your loved ones, and enjoy life to the fullest!
About Dr Stella Fulman
Dr. Stella Fulman, AU.D., CCC-A received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Audiology from Brooklyn College in 2004 and her Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in 2008. [ Learn More ]
