How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Aids Professionally Cleaned?

Audiologist puts modern BTE hearing aid in patients' hand.

Hearing aids perform a vital role in improving sound clarity and enriching daily communication. To keep them functioning at their best, regular maintenance and professional cleanings are crucial. With time, earwax, moisture, and debris can build up, leading to decreased performance. Identifying when to seek professional servicing can help prolong the lifespan of your hearing aids and maintain optimal performance.

The significance of professional hearing aid cleaning

Even with consistent at-home care, hearing aids progressively collect buildup that might affect sound quality and performance. Routine servicing provides a number of advantages:

  • Extensive Sanitizing– Effectively eradicates stubborn earwax, dust, and moisture that routine cleaning methods often miss.
  • Improved efficiency – Gets rid of blockages that might result in muted audio or distortion.
  • Increased Longevity – Helps to prevent early degeneration, thereby minimizing the necessity for repairs or replacements.

Routine skilled cleanings keep your hearing aids working effectively, decreasing the risk of unforeseen malfunctions.

Indications that your hearing aids require professional upkeep

Not certain if your device is due for a deep clean by a pro? Keep an eye out for these telltale indicators that it’s time to call in the experts:

  • Muted or Distorted Sound: If voices and ambient sounds seem muffled, dull, or distorted, it might be due to wax or debris blocking the microphone or speaker.
  • Continuous Feedback or Screeching: A squeaky noise at a high frequency (feedback) could indicate a blockage from earwax or an ill-fitting device. A professional cleaning can help remove blockages and fine-tune the fit.
  • Addressing Volume Problems: When volume adjustments fail to produce the expected outcome, it may be necessary to perform maintenance on internal parts or recalibrate the system’s software settings.
  • High humidity can affect the device’s internal components, causing sporadic audio disruptions or faulty button control. A skilled expert can assess and resolve problems related to dampness or water damage.
  • Noticeable Wax or Gunk Accumulation: If you notice a significant buildup of wax or debris on your hearing aids, professional cleaning ensures a more complete removal than at-home care.
  • What does a professional hearing aid cleaning look like?

    A professional cleaning appointment goes beyond standard upkeep and ensures your devices function optimally. During the appointment, specialists will:

    • Employ specialized tools to meticulously extract wax, debris, and humidity from sensitive elements without doing damage.
    • Inspect and service components to verify all elements are working correctly.
    • Examine both software and hardware to identify any performance problems that might be impacting the sound quality.
    • Swap out any tubing or filters that might be impacting the performance of the device.

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

    The regularity of professional cleanings relies on factors including earwax production, moisture levels, and usage practices. Basic suggestions include:

    • Every 3 to 6 months for routine maintenance.
    • More frequent cleanings are advised for individuals predisposed to excessive earwax accumulation or those living in humid environments.
    • Dealing with small problems quickly can help steer clear of expensive repairs down the road.

    Keep your hearing aids in top condition

    Routine professional maintenance is essential for maintaining your hearing aids and ensuring clear, high-quality sound.

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

    Book an appointment for your hearing aid cleaning and maintenance now.

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.