Hearing Aids – Hearing Aid Care and Maintenance
Q: I recently purchased a set of in-the-ear hearing aids. I want to be sure that I am caring for them properly. What should I do to clean them? A: When you remove the hearing aids at night, the first thing you should do is carefully wipe them down with a dry soft clothe or Kleenex. Next, inspect the portion of the hearing aid that fits down into the ear canal. If you observe earwax accumulating at the end of the aid, you will need to remove this. Most manufacturers will provide you with a cleaning tool, which may be in the form of a brush, wire pick or combination of both. Carefully, remove the wax. Using the brush provided for you, carefully brush around and in the plastic tubing to clear out the wax. Some patients find that using an old toothbrush is an effective method for wax removal. Many times using the wire pick may force the wax deeper into the channel. Finally, open the battery door and place the hearing aids in their case. Many hearing aids have an independent on/off switch.
