How to Charge and Clean Your Hearing Aids

Over 14% of the US population over 65 years of age uses a hearing aid. And, undoubtedly getting these highly sophisticated devices is a necessary investment to regain control over your life, social interactions, and mental health. At the same time, a hearings aid can be an investment that lasts a lifetime – with proper care and maintenance! 

When working with an audiologist at Flynn Associates, you’ll be able to learn more about the ins and outs of caring for your specific type of hearing aid. However, if you need a quick refresher, you can find some essential tips to change and clean your hearing device. Start with the guide below. 

Consider What Type of Hearing Aid You Have

Today, there are several types of hearing aids patients can choose from, including:

• Completely in the canal (CIC)
• Invisible in canal (IIC)
• In the canal (ITC)
• In the ear (ITE)
• Behind the ear (BTE)

Today, ITE and BTE devices remain the most popular options. While these devices are becoming increasingly powerful, efficient, and sophisticated, they each have unique characteristics and features.  

That is why before working on your hearing aid to change it or clean it, you should always consult an experienced audiologist who can help you understand how to best handle and maintain it. 

How To Change Your Hearing Aids

Changing your hearing aids can be a complex process that should only be performed under the supervision of an expert. However, here are some guidelines to efficiently change the battery and the dome of your hearing aid. 

Changing the Batteries of Your Hearing Aids

Changing the batteries of your hearing aid is one of the most frequent interventions you’ll have to perform. Here’s how to get started:

• Open the battery compartment and remove the batteries
• Insert the new batteries following the manufacturer’s instructions
• Close the battery compartment and test your hearing device. Most devices will play a short jingle if the battery has been inserted correctly. 

Changing the Dome of Your Hearing Aids

If you need to change the dome of your hearing, you should:

• Hold the tube (the hearing aid receiver) and pull the dome away
• Once the old dome has been removed, replace it with a new one, making sure that it aligns with the receiver
• Ensure that the dome is properly positioned before reinserting the hearing aid in your ear

How To Clean Your Hearing Aids

Thanks to new technologies, today’s hearing aids have become all the more reliable, sophisticated, and long-lasting. Despite these advancements, they require frequent maintenance to remain efficient and healthy. After all, they are constantly in contact with earwax, sweat, and body oils. 

Cleaning your hearing aids can also offer you a great opportunity to check for defects or cracks and seek assistance as you need it. Here’s what you need to know to keep your ears safe from harmful bacteria buildups. Regularly cleaning your hearing aids is particularly important during the summer months or after a workout session. 

Cleaning ITE Hearing Aids

To clean your in-the-ear hearing aid, you should:

• Place the hearing aid with the opening facing downward 
• Use a clean cloth or soft toothbrush to clean and remove debris from the microphone
• Remove any earwax build-up from the device
• Use a wax pick to clean the holes and hard-to-reach surfaces of your device
• Complete the cleaning process by wiping down the entire device

The entire process is to be performed gently and, possibly, using the tools provided by an audiologist. 

Cleaning BTE Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids are much more straightforward to clean. All you need to do is to use a clean cloth or soft bristle brush to remove any visible debris. Then, separate the earmold from the hook and clean both parts thoroughly.  

If in doubt, your audiologist at Flynn Associates can help you understand how to properly clean your hearing device. 

Extra Tips to Care for Your Hearing Aid at Home

With some experience, cleaning your device at home is possible. Here are some extra tips to perform the cleaning of your hearing aid at home:

• Get the right tools, such as an audiologist-approved wax pick and brush
• Follow a robust hygiene protocol and wash your hands before cleaning the device
• Make sure the device has time to dry completely after cleaning before re-inserting it. So, cleaning it before bedtime is best!
• Change the batteries as needed and keep the batteries compartment clean

Partner with a Quality Audiologist

Over time, you’ll learn how to clean and change your hearing device. However, if you have never done it before and you are looking for guidance, consider contacting an experienced audiologist at Flynn Associates. Call our Concord team at (978) 759-3540 or get in touch with our Wellesley office at (781) 943-5040.