Approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. These tiny devices collect and amplify speech and important sounds to help you connect with the world. In order to get the most out of your hearing aids, it’s crucial to practice regular maintenance, including cleaning and regular service appointments.
How to Clean Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aid maintenance helps extend their lifespan and ensures they provide the clearest sound possible. A few daily cleaning tips include:
- Wipe down your hearing aids. Use a soft, dry cloth or special hearing aid wipe to remove oil, wax, dirt and moisture.
- Clear earwax buildup. Use a wax pick and brush to gently remove earwax from your devices’ microphone, receiver and vents.
- Store your devices safely. Before you go to bed, turn your hearing aids off and store them in a cool, dry place.
In addition to daily cleaning, take time each week to clean the receiver tube and dome. You can also take this opportunity to check your battery and swap it out for a fresh one if necessary. Charge rechargeable hearing aids nightly.
Why Schedule Servicing Appointments?
When you first get hearing aids, your specialist will schedule a few follow-up appointments to check that the settings work for you. Depending on your experience, they may adjust the volume, frequency, noise reduction or directionality to suit your needs. Following the initial few appointments, you should schedule servicing appointments every six months or so.
If you don’t have any issues with your hearing aids, your specialist can perform in-depth cleaning and maintenance to ensure your hearing aids continue to function at their best. They use specialized tools to remove deep-seated wax, debris and moisture buildup that may not be accessible with home cleaning.
If you notice problems like muffled sound, whistling (feedback), crackling or poor battery life, schedule a service appointment as soon as possible. Your specialist can find the underlying cause, make the necessary adjustments and, if needed, send the devices for repair.
To learn more about caring for your hearing aids or to schedule a service appointment, contact Hearing Services of Santa Barbara today.
