Once you’ve invested in a hearing aid, caring for it properly will save you time and money on repairs. Keeping it clean will help prolong its life and keep the sound quality at its best.

Any dirt, debris or film on the internal parts reduces sound transmission, so you don’t get the full benefits of this small, but sophisticated, hearing device. Ear wax in the speaker or tubing of the hearing aid is one of the most common causes of hearing aid dysfunction, also. If you notice that sounds aren’t as strong or clear as usual, it could be that your hearing aid needs cleaning.

Cleaning Your Hearing Aid

Use a soft cloth or brush made for cleaning a hearing aid to remove wax and dirt, but don’t use water or wet cleaning agents since this can damage the delicate parts. Don’t forget to clean the battery compartment since dirt or corrosion on the battery can cause your hearing aid to not work properly. The best way to prevent corrosion is to store your hearing aid in a dry area without moisture or excess humidity and leave the battery door open at night to let moisture evaporate. Don’t wear your hearing aid in the shower, in a sauna or when swimming.

How often should you clean your hearing aid?

Make sure you understand how to care for your hearing aid. If you have questions, schedule an appointment with your audiologist to learn how to care for the various parts of your hearing aid. Additionally, consider taking your hearing aid in to your audiologist’s office twice a year for a deep cleaning. A little routine care will go a long way to preserving the life of your hearing aid.