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Maintenance
Q: I recently purchased a set of in-the-ear hearing aids from the The Canadian Hearing Institute. 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 disinfecting wipe specific to hearing aids. 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. The Canadian Hearing Institute will provide you with a cleaning tool. Carefully, remove the wax. Using the brush we provided for you, carefully brush around and in the plastic tubing to clear out the wax. Open the battery door and place the hearing aids in their dehumidifying case. Many hearing aids have an independent on/off switch. It is still advisable to open the battery door to allow air to enter the hearing aid and assist in reducing the effects of moisture that may accumulate when the aids are in the ear canal. It also helps prolong battery life.
Q: I have a behind-the-ear style hearing aid. Is the cleaning procedure any different for this type of hearing aid?
A: The basic cleaning procedure is the same. The only real difference is that there is an earmold, made of various materials. Since, this the non-electronic portion of the hearing aid, you may wash the earmold with a mild soap and water. Many patients will actually disconnect the earmold from the hearing and place in a soapy bath for a few minutes. Make sure the earmold is dry and pay special attention to the earmold tubing to be sure no water is trapped. If it is, simply blow on the end of the tubing to clear the water before reattaching the earmold to the hearing aid. Remember to have the tubing replaced every 3-6 months, as it begins to loose its flexibility.
Q: Is it advisable to use alcohol swabs or cleaning solvents on the hearing aid?
A: No, do not use solvents or alcohol on the hearing aids as there is a possibility that they can breakdown the hearing aid material. There are special sprays you can purchase that are designed specifically for the cleaning and disinfecting of hearing aids. Talk to your hearing healthcare professional about these products.
Q: What precautions can I take to ensure that my hearing aids will operate properly?
A: Our team at The Canadian Hearing Institute recommends attention is paid to the following 'List of Dont's':
- Don’t allow the hearing aids to become wet. Avoid showering, bathing, or going into the swimming pool or sauna with the hearing aids in your ears.
- Don’t place the hearing aids in direct heat. It is tempting sometimes to place a damp hearing aid in the microwave or conventional oven. Unfortunately, the heat will damage the hearing aids in rather short order. To dry the hearing aid, simply open the battery door and allow it to dry out on its own or hold a hair dryer 18 to 24 inches from the hearing aid and direct warm air toward the aid for approximately 5-10 minutes. We can also order special dehumidifiers or desiccants that are available that do a wonderful job in drying out hearing aids. Remember never store the hearing aids near direct sunlight or a heat source. Do not store them in your car during hot days.
- Don’t drop the hearing aid. If the hearing aid falls on a carpet, rug or upholstered furniture it usually will not cause the aid any harm. Hard floored surfaces or counter tops have the potential of damaging the hearing instruments. Many individuals will start with a pillow on their laps or a towel on the table or counter while they are learning to insert the hearing aids in their ears.
- Don’t use hairsprays, creams or gels on your hair while wearing the hearing aids. These materials can clog the microphone and even begin to break down the plastic of the hearing aid case. Use your hair products first and then insert the hearing aids.
- Don’t store your hearing aids where young children or pets can reach them. Pets can destroy your investment in a matter of seconds. Young children like to experiment with hearing aids and can accidentally swallow the batteries. If hearing aid batteries are swallowed bring the child to emergency facilities immediately.
Q: How does earwax affect the performance of the hearing aid?
A: First, the wax can clog the microphone or receiver of the hearing aid and thereby block sound to the ear. This is easily remedied by following the procedures described above. A large accumulation of earwax can also cause the hearing aid to have feedback or whistling. This is because earwax can be a very dense material. The amplified signal from the hearing aid bounces off the wax and back to the hearing aid where it is reamplified and causes the whistling. It’s a little like throwing a rubber ball against a cement wall.
We recommend a professional examination by The Canadian Hearing Institute at least every 6 months, our trained professionals will examine your hearing aids and check the ear canals for wax.
