Earwax has the important job of trapping debris and bacteria and keeping your ear canals from drying out. But that doesn’t mean it can’t cause problems. If you wear hearing aids, your devices can trap earwax, causing it to become impacted in your ear canals or in the hearing aids themselves. This can cause sound distortion and other problems when out trying to enjoy a dinner party at High Cotton Charleston Restaurant.
Below we review how to check your hearing aids for earwax and remove it.
Clean Your Hearing Aids with a Soft, Dry Cloth
You wouldn’t go weeks without bathing or brushing your teeth, and you shouldn’t wait to clean your hearing aids either. Every day, be sure to wipe your hearing aids down with a soft, dry cloth. This will help prevent earwax from building up in the first place.
Never use chemical cleaners or solvents unless they are specifically formulated for hearing aids.
Visually Inspect Your Devices for Buildup
It’s often the case that the cloth does not remove all the buildup. Visually inspect the entirety of your devices to spot earwax that has built up in the nooks and crannies.
Use Wax Removal Tools for Hard-to-Reach Places
You can purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit from The Hearing & Balance Center that contains a wax pick, wire loop or multitool. All of these gadgets can be used to scoop or chisel wax from hard-to-reach places like the microphone port.
When using these tools, be sure to hold your hearing aid upside down so debris falls out instead of in. Be very gentle so you don’t damage the hearing aid.
Replace Wax Guards as Needed
Some styles of hearing aids have built-in wax guards that need to be replaced on a regular basis. Check for obvious signs of debris and try to remove it. If you can’t, replace the wax guard.
Remove & Clean Tubing
Behind-the-ear hearing aids have tubing that attaches the device to the earmold, which can also become blocked with earwax. If you’re having sound problems and have tried everything else, remove the tubing and check for blockages and remove them with an air blower or flexible wire. If this doesn’t work, bring your device to your audiologist to have the tubing replaced.
For more information about caring for your hearing aids or if they require maintenance, call The Hearing & Balance Center today.