While earwax serves the important purpose of trapping earwax and bacteria as well as keeping the ear canal from drying out, it can also be troublesome when it becomes impacted in your hearing aids. Below we review all the steps you can take to remove earwax from the different parts of your hearing aid.
Invest in a Cleaning Kit
If your audiologist didn’t provide you with a hearing aid cleaning kit when you purchased your hearing aid, you can pick one up at The Hearing & Balance Center or at Herold’s Pharmacy. These kits range in price from about $7 to $45 depending on the quality of tools and what exactly they include. Usually, these kits contain a soft cloth, brush, wax pick/wire loop, battery door opener, battery magnet and tube and vent cleaner.
Wipe Down the Casing
The first step to removing impacted earwax from your device is to wipe down the casing with a soft, dry cloth or use a soft brush. If the wax is stubborn, use the wax pick/wire loop. Sometimes it is best to do this first thing in the morning after the wax has had the chance to dry out overnight.
Clear Blockages from the Tubing
If you have a behind-the-ear (BTE) style device, the tubing may become blocked with wax. You can use an air blower or a thin, flexible wire to remove any built-up wax.
Clean the Earmolds/Sound Bores
Some hearing aids have a detachable earmold, which is where sound is delivered to your ears. If yours does, you can remove this piece and wash it in warm, soapy water. Make sure it’s completely dry before reattaching it.
In some models, the sound bore is built into the device. If this is the case, simply scoop wax out with the wax pick/wire loop.
Replace Filters and Wax Guards
Most hearing aids come with built-in filters or wax guards that can be replaced by the user. The lifespan of these parts varies, as different people produce different amounts of earwax.
For more information about properly cleaning your hearing aids or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call The Hearing & Balance Center today.