It’s time to spring clean your hearing aids

This post originally appeared on Starkey.com

Spring is nearly here, hooray! Get ready for sunnier days, warmer weather—and of course, tons of hype about “spring cleaning”: Time to clean house. Declutter. Out with the old, in with the new…etc. You may think you’ve heard it all, but did you know there is another form of spring maintenance that is key to ensuring you get out and enjoy every moment of the new season and beyond?

It goes a little something like this: Take your hearing aids in for a quarterly cleaning by your hearing care professional.

That’s right. A little extra TLC for your hearing aids every three months (or sooner if you’re a heavy sweater or work in a profession where your devices get dirty or wet often) can go a long way in helping them work better and last longer.

Imagine what this could mean to your spring: Listening to the return of nature’s best sounds, such as birds chirping and melted waters lapping; taking in the relaxing rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath your feet on a morning stroll; participating in conversations with loved ones over that first alfresco lunch; or cheering for a homerun by your favorite little leaguer. The list goes on.

But what’s the difference between cleaning your hearing aids yourself each day and getting them cleaned regularly by a hearing care professional? We thought you’d never ask.

WHAT DAILY HEARING AID CLEANING INVOLVES

First, if you are already cleaning your hearing aids yourself every day, well done and keep it up. For those needing a quick refresher, daily cleaning involves using your hearing aid tool (with brush) and/or a dry, soft cloth to clean earwax, moisture, and debris from the outer parts of your hearing aid:

For standard hearing aids—clean the user control (as applicable), all microphone openings, earbud or custom earmolds, and charging contacts, and then replace the wax guards or earpiece (earbuds) if needed.

For custom hearing aids—clean the user control and/or rotary volume control, charging contacts, and microphones, then replace the wax guards if needed.

Check out these short instructional videos for further help:

• How to clean your standard or custom hearing aids

• How to change wax guards on standard or custom hearing aids

• How to replace an earpiece on standard hearing aids

Remember, running Self Check from the My Starkey app* is also a useful step you can take each month to ensure your hearing aid electronic components—microphone, receiver, and circuit (or the “brains” of your devices)—are in working order.

With a few taps, you can examine these parts for buildup of wax or other debris, which can interfere with the sound quality of your hearing aids. Within minutes, you’ll know if your hearing aids are in working condition; specific components need cleaning; wax guards need replacing; or professional attention is needed.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL HEARING AID CLEANING INVOLVES

A professional cleaning or “clean and check” with your hearing care provider takes your great maintenance efforts one step further.

Here’s how:

• Deeper clean without the damage Your hearing care professional uses their expertise to thoroughly remove built-up earwax, oil, and debris without damaging the hearing aid receivers or microphones.

• Improved sound quality Safe, specialized removal of earwax or debris by a professional can help make audio (like music or speech) sound even clearer,.

• Maintenance check Professional cleaning allows your hearing care professional to check for hearing aid damage. They can then suggest or make repairs on the spot, if necessary.

• Longer lifespan Regular professional cleaning helps keep your hearing aids in top condition, so they last longer.

Think of a professional hearing aid cleaning like taking your vehicle in for a carwash or routine tune-up after the long winter: You’re simply maintaining your devices so they’re ready to be there for you wherever life takes you next.

DON’T WAIT, SPRING INTO ACTION

Make an appointment with your hearing care professional today to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned. What better time than spring—a time of fresh starts, new beginnings… okay, you get the drift—and especially before your calendar is booked with summer sports, picnics, concerts and beyond?

Whatever this new season means to you, you never have to miss a moment of it with regular maintenance of your hearing aids.

*My Starkey app available for Genesis AI hearing aids only.

Get a hearing test near you or learn more about your hearing devices at South Suburban Hearing Health Center, which has many convenient locations throughout your area.