Hearing aids are an investment in your health and quality of life. When you make the decision to get hearing aids you want to make sure that they perform well over a long period of time. However, with everyday wear, hearing aids are exposed to a lot of elements that could potentially cause damage. One of those elements is earwax.
Too much earwax buildup in the earmold of your hearing aids can cause problems like feedback, reduced effectiveness, poor fit and damage to the device. This happens because the buildup of earwax causes components of the hearing aid to degrade over time.
How to Protect Your Hearing Aids 
A daily cleaning routine and regular maintenance can help protect your hearing aid from damage due to earwax buildup. This routine should include:
- Cleaning your hearing aids after you take them out each night. You can use a soft, dry cloth or brush.
- Storing them in a cool, dry place. Dehumidifiers or drying boxes rid your device of buildup and moisture. Some drying boxes even use UV light to disinfect your hearing aids.
- Avoid exposure to excessive heat or moisture.
- Turn off the device and open the battery doors when not in use.
- Replace dead batteries immediately.
- Make regular appointments with your hearing specialist for cleanings and checkups for your hearing aids.
Cleaning Your Ears
The ear is naturally self-cleaning but hearing aids can cause earwax to not dry and slough from the ear as much as usual. Objects in the ear can also cause an increase in the production of earwax. However, even with the extra buildup, you should never use cotton swabs to clean out your ear. They can push earwax deeper into your ear canal, causing impacted earwax. In some cases, they can cause ear pain and even injury.
If you believe you have an earwax blockage in your ear, reach out to your ENT doctor. They can remove it in the office or recommend earwax drops. They may also recommend an over-the-counter earwax removal kit that you can find in places like North Oaks Pharmacy or other local stores.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Decibel Hearing today.