Proper care and cleaning of your hearing aid will help it work properly and can help avoid the need for repeated repairs. Hearing aids come in many different shapes and forms. On every model, there are three places that need regular care:
The shell – The shell is the outer surface of the hearing aid. Wax or debris on the shell of a hearing aid can affect proper fit, cause discomfort in the ear or affect the movement of working parts such as the volume control. Try using the brush that came with the hearing aids to remove the wax.
The microphone – Never poke anything into the microphone port. When cleaning the microphone, turn your hearing aid upside down so the microphone port faces the floor. That way, any loose debris will fall out of the microphone and not into it. Lastly, using the brush provided with your hearing aid, gently brush across the microphone port to sweep away any debris.
The receiver – Second only to a dead battery, wax buildup in the receiver is the most common cause of hearing aid failure. The receiver is the hole that directs the sound from the speaker of the hearing aid to your ear. Daily cleaning with the brush will help prevent most buildup. Moreover, every 3-4 months, you should replace the wax guard that is situated inside the receiver.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, ask your audiologist at the Hearing Institute of Ontario, who can review hearing aid cleaning methods with you.
