Hearing Aid Care and Maintenance
April 2003
Editor: Here's a great set of questions and answers on the care and
feeding of hearing aids. Written by Peter A. Charuhas, M.A., it found
it's way to bhNEWS through about.com's deafness editor, Jamie Burke.
Thanks to all for this information.
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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. 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, which is made of lucite or silicone. Since
this is 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 possibly 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: I usually describe this in my "List of Don'ts":
Don't allow the hearing aid 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. There are also special dehumidifiers or desiccants available
that do a wonderful job in drying out the hearing aid. Talk to your
hearing health care professional about these items. 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
immediately notify the doctor and call the National Button Battery
Hotline collect at (202) 625-3333.
Q: How does earwax affect the performance of the hearing aid?
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. Your hearing care professional should
examine your hearing aids and check the ear canals for wax at least
every 6 months.
