Why You Should Get a Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning Before Year-End

Fall in Windsor is a nice time to get outside before the colder weather settles in. Maybe you’ve been taking walks along the riverfront or stopping by the shops on Ottawa Street.

You’ve probably got a few things on your calendar as the holidays get closer. Getting your hearing aids professionally cleaned might not be one of them, especially if they seem to be working just fine.

Most people have a routine for cleaning their hearing aids at home, but it’s easy to lose track of when they last had them cleaned at the clinic. With a few months left in the year, there’s still time to book a visit.

You might be surprised by what a professional cleaning involves and what your audiologist can check while you’re there.

How Professional Cleanings Help Prevent Common Hearing Aid Problems

There’s quite a bit of your hearing aids that you can’t clean with the little brush or cloth you use at home. Earwax can settle around the receiver, and the microphone openings are too delicate to clean thoroughly on your own.

During a professional cleaning, your audiologist can work on these areas using tools designed for hearing aids. They may also remove certain parts to clean underneath them, depending on the model you wear.

Your appointment isn’t limited to removing wax, either. Your audiologist can inspect the battery contacts and look for signs of moisture inside the casing.

They’ll check the wax guards and replace any that are clogged. If something looks worn or damaged, they can explain whether it needs replacing or repairing.

How Hearing Aids Collect Dust and Debris

Your hearing aids come into contact with plenty of things throughout the day. Dust settles on them, tiny fibres from clothing get caught around the edges and earwax collects on the parts inside your ears.

You can wipe away what you see, but some of that buildup stays tucked inside the small openings. You might start turning up the volume a little more than usual without thinking much about it.

Wax around the speaker can leave voices sounding muffled, and dust covering a microphone opening can make sounds seem quieter.

It doesn’t take a complete blockage to change what you’re hearing. Sometimes the difference develops so gradually that you don’t realize how much buildup has collected until it’s cleaned away.

Recognizing When Your Hearing Aids Need Thorough Cleaning

You handle your hearing aids every day, so you probably don’t spend much time examining them. Take a closer look around the casing and where the dome attaches.

You might find wax that’s difficult to remove or residue that keeps coming back after cleaning. The tubing may also look cloudy or have buildup inside it.

Think about the last time your hearing aids were professionally cleaned. Maybe you’ve been changing the wax guards regularly, but it’s been several months since the rest of the devices were checked.

You may also have heard occasional whistling or noticed that the sound isn’t quite right. These are things your audiologist can examine during a cleaning appointment.

Why Moisture Poses an Extra Risk for Hearing Aids

Think about how often your hearing aids go from a warm room to the cold air outside. During colder weather in Windsor, those temperature changes can leave condensation on the devices.

There is also perspiration and the natural moisture inside your ears. Hearing aids are made for regular wear, and many have water-resistant features, but they’re not completely sealed against moisture.

The concern isn’t always the water itself. It’s what gets left behind inside the device, especially after repeated exposure. Small metal contacts can develop corrosion, and dried moisture may leave mineral deposits around delicate components.

A hearing aid can look perfectly fine on the outside while these changes are happening inside. You wouldn’t necessarily find them during your usual cleaning, since much of the electronic hardware is enclosed within the casing.

Professional Tools Clean Hard-to-Reach Parts of Your Devices

The tools your audiologist uses are quite different from the little brush that comes with your hearing aids. A small vacuum is often used around the microphone openings, and fine cleaning tools are available for working around the receiver.

Your audiologist may also remove the dome or earmould to clean areas that are normally covered. Some hearing aids have detachable tubing that can be cleaned separately.

There’s other tools at the clinic that you wouldn’t typically have at home. Magnification lets your audiologist examine the smaller components, while specialized drying tools are available for moisture removal.

Some clinics also have machines that measure the sound coming from your hearing aids. Your audiologist will choose the kit based on your devices and what they find during the cleaning.

Keeping Up with Device Care Supports Better Ear Health

Your hearing aids spend a lot of time against the skin inside and around your ears. Keeping the parts that touch your ears clean is part of looking after your ear health, too.

Here are a few habits to keep up with:

• • Wipe your domes or earmoulds each night to remove earwax and skin oils.
  • Check for worn or rough edges that might rub against your ears.
  • Clean your storage case regularly so you’re not putting your hearing aids back into a dirty case.
  • Let reusable earmoulds dry completely after washing them, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Mention any itching, redness or soreness to your audiologist, especially if it keeps coming back.
  • Stick to cleaning products recommended for your hearing aids rather than household cleaners that could irritate your skin.

Getting Ready for More Frequent Use During Holiday Events

You may also be wearing your hearing aids later into the evening, particularly when you’re visiting family or staying out longer than planned.

Before things get busy, think about whether your devices are ready for those longer days. A professional cleaning is a chance to have them checked before you’re relying on them through several holiday events.

You can also ask your audiologist to review any listening programs you haven’t used recently, especially those meant for restaurants or larger groups. That way, you’re familiar with the settings before you need them.

Maximize Your Insurance and Warranty Benefits

Your hearing aid financing & your insurance plan may include more than you realize. Along with coverage for the devices, some plans include maintenance visits, replacement parts or repairs.

It’s worth checking the details before the year ends, particularly if your benefits renew annually. You can ask your insurance provider whether professional cleaning is covered, how often you can use that benefit and whether the clinic handles claims directly.

There’s also the manufacturer’s warranty to consider. Depending on how long you’ve had your hearing aids, you may still have coverage for certain repairs or faulty parts.

Routine cleaning isn’t always part of the warranty, so the terms are worth reviewing. Your audiologist can look up your warranty dates and go through what’s included.

They can also tell you which services are available at the clinic and which ones are handled by the manufacturer.

What Happens During a Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning Visit

Your appointment will usually begin with a quick conversation about how your hearing aids have been working. Your audiologist may ask whether you’ve had any trouble with the sound or noticed anything different about how they fit.

They’ll also examine both devices before getting started. From there, they’ll take off any removable pieces that need cleaning, like the domes or earmoulds.

They’ll clean around the microphone openings and receiver, check the wax guards and replace any that need changing. Tubing may also need cleaning, depending on the style you wear.

Once the devices are clean and reassembled, your audiologist will check that they’re working properly. Some clinics use specialized tools to measure the sound coming from each hearing aid.

You’ll have a chance to put your hearing aids back on before leaving. Your audiologist may ask you to listen for a moment and tell them how everything sounds.

They can also show you how to clean a particular part if you’ve been having trouble with it at home. The appointment is usually brief, although it depends on the devices and the work involved.

Making The Most of Your Hearing Aid Care Before Year End

There are probably a few things you’ve been meaning to get done before the year ends, and your hearing aids might be on that list. Maybe they’ve been working well enough that you haven’t given them much thought.

That’s perfectly fine, but it’s still nice to have them cleaned and checked by someone who works with hearing aids every day. You might even have a question you’ve been meaning to ask about how they’re holding up.

If you can’t remember when your hearing aids were last professionally cleaned, we can take care of that at Hearing Wellness Centre in Windsor. Give us a call at (844) 663-9433 to book a visit before the end of the year.