If you have a hearing aid, then you should know that it is important to complete maintenance on the hearing aid on a regular basis. Some of the maintenance tasks must be completed by your audiologist, while others can be done at home. Keep reading to learn about the types of things you should be doing at home and how often to do them.
Clean The Wax Filter
Your ears create a natural wax substance called cerumen that helps to lubricate the ear. This allows for good ear health, and the wax does fall away from the canal and out of the ear over time. However, if you have a hearing aid, the ear canal is plugged and the wax will collect on the device. This can lead to hearing aid clogs and damage. To help prevent damage, the majority of in-ear hearing aids have a wax filter. This filter, along with the outside of the aid, needs to be cleared of wax.
You should clean wax from your hearing aid about once every few weeks. The frequency depends on how much wax your ear produces. If the sounds coming from your hearing aid seem to be more muffled than usual, then it is time for a cleaning.
To clean the wax filter and the hearing aid, remove the hearing aid from your ear. Make sure the device is off, and look for the brightly colored wax filter. Use a wax pick tool purchased from your audiologist, and gently remove the filter. Also, use the pick to clear out any openings, like where the speaker sits. When you are done, replace the filter and use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the hearing aid. Allow it to dry completely before replacing it in your ear.
Remove Batteries Once A Week
Most individuals still have hearing aids that use disposable batteries. The battery compartment holding them can collect moisture. This sweat can lead to corrosion, so you want to dry out the aid at least once a week. Simply open up the battery compartment, remove the battery, and let the aid sit open overnight.
In the morning, take a look at the battery chamber for any signs of sweat or built-up corrosion. If you see any corrosion, then take your hearing aid to your audiologist for a professional cleaning. Otherwise, you can replace the battery and slip the aid back into your ear.
If you want to know more about hearing aids and how you can perform hearing aid maintenance, speak with your audiologist.