Though earwax is essential to protecting your ears from dirt and bacteria, too much of it can lead to issues like clogged ears, tinnitus, temporary hearing loss and even an ear infection.
Earwax can also pose a threat to your hearing aids.
Let’s look at why it’s important to develop a regular cleaning routine to remove earwax from your hearing aids, as well as how to do so.
Earwax Buildup Can Cause Hearing Aids To Malfunction
Earwax buildup is one of the most common reasons why people bring in their hearing aids for repairs. Too much earwax on your device can lead to issues like hearing aid feedback, weak and distorted sound quality and cause your hearing aid to fit poorly or uncomfortably in your ear.
Additionally, moisture from earwax can cause damage to both your hearing aid itself, as well as the battery, leading to malfunction.
People With Hearing Aids Are More Likely To Experience Earwax Buildup
Adding to the problem is that having a foreign object in your ear (like hearing aids) can actually make it more likely that you have earwax buildup. That’s because your ear produces more earwax when something is inside the ear, and hearing aids can block earwax from naturally sloughing off.
According to The National Library of Medicine, “earwax is more likely to accumulate and cause a hearing impairment when normal extrusion is prevented (for example, by hearing aids or by the use of cotton buds to clean the ears).”
Four Tips For Removing Earwax From Hearing Aids
Even with these extra hurdles, staying on top of your cleaning routine can help ensure earwax is not a problem for you or your hearing aids.
- Clean your hearing aids nightly. You can do this by wiping them with a soft, dry cloth. Alternatively, you can purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit with multiple tools to give your device a more thorough cleaning.
- Use earwax filters or guards. These can help keep earwax, dust and moisture from clogging the microphone and receiver. These need to be changed regularly, so make sure to follow the instructions on replacements for the best results.
- Inspect tubing. If you wear a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, it’s important to check the tube that connects the hearing aid to the earmold and remove any wax you see there.
- Invest in a drying box. Since the moisture from earwax can damage your hearing aids, investing in a drying box can be beneficial. You can put your hearing aids in a drying box every night to remove excess moisture. As a bonus, drying boxes can come in handy if you forget to take your hearing aids out while showering or get caught in a downpour while walking through The Preserve of Highland Park!
If you have more questions about how to care for your hearing aids or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab today.