How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Aids Professionally Cleaned?

Audiologist puts modern BTE hearing aid in patients' hand.

Hearing aids play a vital role in enhancing sound clarity and enhancing daily communication. To keep them performing at their best, regular maintenance and professional cleanings are essential. With time, earwax, moisture, and debris can build up, leading to decreased functionality. Identifying when to find professional cleaning can help prolong the lifespan of your hearing aids and maintain optimal performance.

The importance of professional hearing aid cleaning

Despite regular maintenance at home, hearing aids can slowly accumulate debris that might impact how well they work and the quality of sound they produce. Regular upkeep provides numerous advantages:

  • Deep Cleaning– Removes earwax, dust, and moisture that day-to-day cleaning tools might not successfully eliminate.
  • Enhanced Performance– Clears blockages that can cause dampened sound or distortion.
  • Increased Longevity – Helps to avoid early deterioration, thereby reducing the need for repairs or replacements.

Having your hearing aids cleaned by a specialist helps ensure they work at their best, reducing the likelihood of unforeseen breakdowns.

Signals that your hearing aids require professional maintenance

Not certain if your device is due for a deep clean by a pro? Look out for these telltale indicators that it’s time to contact the experts:

  • Unclear or Jumbled Audio: If voices and background noises seem feeble, muted, or altered, the issue may be caused by obstructions, such as earwax or debris, obstructing the device’s microphone or speaker.
  • Relentless Whistling or Feedback: A high-pitched whistling sound (feedback) can signify wax buildup or a poor fit. A professional cleaning can help eliminate blockages and fine-tune the fit.
  • Problems with Volume Control: If changing the volume doesn’t seem to have the intended effect, internal elements may need repair or software reset.
  • High humidity can affect the device’s internal components, resulting in random audio interruptions or unreliable button control. A qualified expert can evaluate and resolve problems related to moisture or water damage.
  • If you recognize a noticeable increase of wax or dirt on your hearing aids, it is recommended to have them professionally cleaned for a more thorough removal compared to cleaning them at home.
  • What to expect during a professional hearing aid cleaning

    A professional cleaning visit goes past standard upkeep and ensures your devices function efficiently. Here a number of things your hearing specialist will do during a cleaning:

    • Implement specialized tools to meticulously extract wax, debris, and humidity from sensitive components without causing harm.
    • Examine and repair components to verify all elements are functioning properly.
    • Examine both software and hardware to determine any performance issues that might be impacting the quality of sound.
    • Swap out any tubing or filters that may be impacting the performance of the device.

    What is the suggested time frame for setting up professional maintenance?

    The frequency of professional cleanings depends on factors including earwax production, moisture levels, and usage practices. General recommendations include:

    • Every 3 to 6 months for routine maintenance.
    • More regular cleanings are suggested for people predisposed to excessive earwax buildup or those living in humid environments.
    • As soon as issues emerge, dealing with minor problems early can prevent costly repairs.

    Maintain your hearing aids for ideal performance

    To keep your hearing aids functioning efficiently and providing crisp, clear audio, it’s essential to schedule regular exams and maintenance with a hearing care professional.

    If distorted sound, echoing, or technical problems are interrupting your experience, it’s likely that a thorough, expert cleaning is in order.

    Schedule your hearing aid cleaning and maintenance today.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.