Cleaning Hearing Aids
Written by Edward Storzer M.Sc. Aud. (C)
Hearing aids can suddenly stop working or sound weak even with a fresh battery. The problem may be wax blockage, which is often an easy fix. We have had past articles about tips for routine hearing aid cleaning that you can carry out at home. This update will review some of these basics, and also address some of the new wax protection systems for newer hearing aid models. All cleaning tools and other devices mentioned here are available at both of our offices.
Earmolds:
It is important to ensure that sound traveling from a behind-the-ear hearing aid through an earmold is not blocked by wax or moisture. Using a small cleaning brush and pick can help clear the tip of the earmold where wax is most likely to develop. Also, if you are able to remove the earmold from the hearing aid, you can use Super Floss to clean through the tubing. If moisture droplets are blocking the tubing, an earmold air blower will clear it, and a dehumidifying dry-aid kit can be used to help reduce moisture accumulation.
Wax Guards:
These come in several shapes and sizes and include the NoWax and Cerustop guards. These tiny disposable plastic filters are inserted into the speaker port of a custom hearing aid (where the sound leaves the hearing aid and enters the ear canal). These can be mesh or perforated filters that help trap wax and debris, preventing damage to the speaker. These can be cleaned out with a brush or pick from time to time, and replaced about every two months.
New wax guards such as C-Guard and SmartGuard have a thin membrane that blocks out wax and moisture. Wax can accumulate on this membrane, and can be cleaned by wiping firmly in a back-and-forth motion with a soft tissue. You cannot use a pick on these wax guards, because it will break the membrane. These wax guards are replaced about every three months.
Wax Springs:
Some custom hearing aids use a metal spring inserted into the open speaker port to prevent speaker damage. The visible portion of the speaker port can be cleaned out with a pick, but the wax spring must be changed in our office about every three to six months.
Rubber Domes:
Many of the new speaker-in-the-canal hearing aids have a rubber dome that helps hold the speaker in place within the ear canal and also acts as a wax filter with a perforated center. These can be wiped clean with a soft cleaning tissue, and replaced every one to three months.
Some of the new speaker-in-the-canal hearing aids use multiple wax protection systems. For example, the Oticon Delta has a rubber dome, and a perforated NoWax filter, while the Siemens Active hearing aids use a rubber dome with a membrane-type C-Guard in the middle that must be wiped clean routinely.
Please remember that if you find routine cleaning on your hearing aids difficult because of visual impairment or limited manual dexterity, we are happy to give instructions to a family member or care worker. Otherwise, the hearing aid should be brought into our office for cleaning. Basic cleanings can be done without an appointment, as our entire staff is trained in cleaning all hearing aid models. We derive great delight in ‘resurrecting’ a non-functioning hearing aid.
