How to clean hearing aids
No matter what type of hearing aid you wear, it is important to clean them regularly to keep them free from wax so you can hear clearly. Follow the easy techniques outlined below that you can do at home when cleaning your RIC, ITE and BTE with ear moulds or thin tubes. If you would like some assistance our Audiology professionals are always here to help. Contact your local Specsavers Audiology store or book an appointment online.
- First, wipe the hearing aid using a clean dry cloth. Using the brush provided with your hearing aid, gently remove any wax or debris from the dome and main device.
- If the dome looks worn, remove the dome, and replace it with a new one
- Once a week you will need to clean the wax filter by removing, using the brush remove any wax or debris from the filter.
- If you are unable to clean the filter, you will need to replace it with a new one.
- Replace the filter. If you are not comfortable changing the filter, visit an audiology professional in store and they will assist you with this.
- First, wipe the hearing aid using a clean dry cloth. Using the brush provided with your hearing aid, gently remove any wax or debris from the ear mould and main device.
- If there is any wax in the tubing of the ear mould, detach the tube from the body of the hearing aid. Carefully clean it out by gently blowing through the tubing. Reattach the earmold to the device.
- Once a month, the ear mould can be removed from the device and carefully washed with warm soapy water,
- Leave the ear mould overnight to dry. In the morning use the blower tool or gently blow through the tubing to remove any remaining water, before reattaching it to the main device
- First wipe the hearing aid using a clean dry cloth. Using the brush provided with your hearing aid, gently remove any wax or debris from the dome and main device.
- If the dome looks worn, remove the dome, and replace it with a new one.
- Once a week you will need to clean the tubing. Remove the dome and detach the tube from the body of the hearing aid. A special cleaning wire is provided with the hearing aid and is the only tool that should be used to clean the tube. Insert the cleaning wire into the tube, starting at the end that clips onto the hearing aid, feed it through until it passes out of the ear tip.
- This process should remove any wax build-up in the tube. Reattach the dome to the tube, and the tube to the body of the hearing aid.
- First wipe the hearing aid using a clean dry cloth. Using the brush provided with your hearing aid, gently remove any wax or debris from the device.
- Your hearing aid may have a vent, this is a hole that goes through the entire hearing aid. Using the pick you were supplied with, remove any wax from the vent.
- Replace the filter. If you are not comfortable changing the filter, visit an audiology professional in store and they will assist you with this.
How to dry hearing aids
Hearing aids are vulnerable to humidity and water and so it’s important to dry them regularly. Speak to your audiology professional about our drying kits and check out our handy tips below.
- We recommend drying your hearing aids every day
- Leave your hearing aid with the battery door wide open overnight. Always remove the battery and wipe with a clean dry cloth or tissue to remove any surface moisture
- If your hearing aid does get wet from rain or the shower, remove the battery and leave to dry before replacing with a fresh battery. Never leave a wet battery in a hearing aid as it may leak and cause damage
- Extreme heat is very bad for your hearing aids and so never put your hearing aids on top of a radiator or in an oven or microwave
- Use a hearing aid drying kit to dry any moisture and water out of your hearing aid
- Electronic hearing aid drying kits use UV light to dry hearing aids and eliminate bacteria. Speak to your audiology professional about purchasing one from Specsavers.
