Earwax and Hearing Aids
Damage to Hearing Aids Caused by Earwax
Earwax, also known as cerumen, can oftentimes be a nuisance to individuals who use hearing aids or wear earmolds with cochlear implants. For hearing aid users, it’s especially important to combat excess earwax buildup, which can often increase the severity of hearing loss or result in negative impacts such as:
- Hearing aid feedback
- Reduction in the effectiveness of the hearing aid
- Poor fit of the hearing aid
- Earaches
- Serious infection
It is reported that between 60% and 70% of hearing aids sent in for repair are damaged as a result of excess earwax build up *. More solid earwax, if not removed, typically moves its way into the receivers and vents of the hearing aid, while the chemical components of earwax can reach the delicate components of the hearing aid, causing vital parts of the hearing aid to degrade.
How Hearing Aids Can Cause Earwax Problems
Anytime a foreign object remains in the ear for an extended amount of time, it acts as a stimulant for the cerumen glands, which produce wax. In addition to the significant increase in volume, earwax is no longer able to migrate out of the ear canal at its normal frequency since hearing aids block the natural exit way for earwax.
How to Prevent Damage Caused by Earwax
To get the most out of hearing aids, users should frequently take time to clean their hearing aids using the following tactics:
- Gently brush earwax or debris off of the microphone
- Use a soft cloth to wipe down the entire hearing aid
- Leave the battery door open at night
- Use a wax pick to carefully remove any material from the air vent
- Wash out any wax that is clogging the tubing
- Clear your ears with Clinere
In addition to keeping your aids clean, it is also important that wax is removed from the ear canal before it has a chance to cause damage. When it comes to keeping your ears clean and healthy, Clinere is the perfect tool. With the combination of the scoop and patented fin, Clinere makes it easy to quickly remove earwax and combat ear itch.
* Source: Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full-heres-some-advice-for-ear-wax-removal