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How to Clean and Maintain Your Hearing Aids Hearing aids are designed to be used every day, often for many hours at a time. Because they sit close to the ear, they can naturally come into contact with earwax, moisture, skin oils, dust and other debris. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your hearing aids working properly, comfortable to wear and performing as intended. So, how do you clean hearing aids safely? The answer depends on the type of hearing aid you use, but most hearing aids need simple daily care, regular cleaning of the parts that come into contact with the ear, and occasional professional servicing. In this guide, we explain how to clean and maintain your hearing aids, what to avoid and when it is time to have them professionally checked. Why Is It Important to Clean Your Hearing Aids? Hearing aids are small electronic devices that need to work reliably in a challenging environment. Your ears naturally produce earwax, and your skin produces oils and moisture. Over time, these can build up on parts of the hearing aid. Dirt or wax can affect: Sound quality Volume Speech clarity Microphone performance The receiver or speaker The fit of the device Battery life Overall reliability A hearing aid that is not cleaned regularly may begin to sound quieter or distorted. In some cases, people assume their hearing has suddenly become worse when the actual problem is a blocked wax filter or dirty hearing-aid component. Regular maintenance can help prevent avoidable problems. How Often Should You Clean Your Hearing Aids? A simple cleaning routine should usually be part of your everyday hearing-aid care. You can quickly inspect your hearing aids each day for visible wax, moisture or debris. A more thorough cleaning may be needed every few days or according to the instructions for your particular hearing aids. Your hearing professional can also advise you about how often your devices should receive professional cleaning and servicing. The exact routine depends on the hearing-aid style, your level of earwax production, how much you use the devices and your environment. How to Clean Hearing Aids Step by Step Although hearing aids vary, the following general routine is suitable for many modern devices. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. Step 1: Wash and Dry Your Hands Before handling your hearing aids, wash your hands and dry them thoroughly. This helps prevent dirt and moisture from being transferred onto the device. Step 2: Inspect the Hearing Aid Look carefully at the hearing aid. Check for: Earwax Dust Moisture Debris Damage Blocked openings Pay particular attention to the parts that sit inside or close to the ear. Step 3: Clean the Ear Tip or Dome If your hearing aid has a removable dome or ear tip, check it for wax and debris. Clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some removable components can be cleaned separately, while others should be replaced rather than washed. If you are unsure, ask your hearing-care professional. Step 4: Check the Wax Filter Many hearing aids have a small wax filter designed to prevent earwax from reaching the speaker or receiver. If the filter becomes blocked, sounds may become quieter or distorted. A blocked wax filter may also make you think your hearing aid is no longer working properly. Your hearing professional can show you how to check and replace the filter safely. Step 5: Clean the Microphone Openings Microphones are essential because they pick up sounds from the environment. If microphone openings become blocked with dirt or debris, the performance of your hearing aids can be affected. Use only the cleaning tools recommended for your hearing aids. Do not push objects into the microphone openings. Step 6: Wipe the Hearing Aid Use a clean, dry, soft cloth to wipe the outside of the hearing aid. Avoid using household cleaning sprays, alcohol-based products or other chemicals unless the manufacturer specifically says they are safe for your device. Can You Wash Hearing Aids With Water? Generally, you should not expose standard hearing aids to water unless the manufacturer specifically states that the device is designed for that level of water exposure. Even hearing aids advertised as water resistant have specific limits. Water resistance does not necessarily mean waterproof. Do not deliberately: Put your hearing aids under a tap Shower while wearing them unless specifically designed for it Swim with them unless approved for that use Soak them in water Clean the electronic components with water Moisture can damage the electronics. If a removable component is designed to be washed separately, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. What Should You Never Use to Clean Hearing Aids? It can be tempting to use household products to clean small electronic devices. This is not recommended. Avoid using: Household cleaning sprays Bleach Strong detergents Solvents Oils Excessive alcohol Sharp objects Pins Needles Cotton buds pushed into openings Compressed air unless specifically recommended Your hearing aids contain delicate components. Using the wrong cleaning method can cause damage. Can Cotton Buds Damage Hearing Aids? Cotton buds can sometimes push wax deeper into the device or ear. They can also leave small fibres behind. For this reason, avoid pushing cotton buds into openings in your hearing aids or into your ear canal. Use the cleaning brush or tools supplied or recommended for your hearing aids. If earwax is causing repeated problems, ask a hearing-care professional about appropriate earwax management. How Do You Clean Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids? Behind-the-ear hearing aids have an electronic unit that sits behind the ear and a tube, receiver wire or other component that connects to the ear. The exact cleaning method depends on the model. Generally, you can wipe the external surfaces with a dry, soft cloth and inspect the part entering the ear for wax. If the device has a detachable earmould or other washable component, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning it. Do not put the electronic portion of the hearing aid into water. If the tubing becomes

Why Do My Hearing Aids Whistle? Causes and Solutions If your hearing aids suddenly make a high pitched whistling or squealing sound, you may wonder whether something is wrong with the device. Occasional whistling can happen with hearing aids, particularly when you are putting them in, removing them or adjusting their position. However, persistent hearing aid whistling is not something you simply have to accept. In many cases, the problem can be identified and corrected by checking the fit, cleaning the device or having the hearing aids professionally adjusted. So, why do hearing aids whistle? The most common reason is sound leaking out of the ear and being picked up again by the hearing aid microphone. This creates a feedback loop that produces the familiar high pitched whistle. In this guide, we explain the most common causes of hearing aid whistling and what you can do about them. What Is Hearing Aid Feedback? The whistling sound produced by a hearing aid is usually called feedback. Hearing aids work by picking up sounds through a microphone, processing those sounds and delivering amplified sound into your ear. Normally, the amplified sound stays inside the ear canal. If some of that sound escapes and reaches the hearing aid microphone again, the device may amplify it repeatedly. This can create a high pitched sound similar to a whistle. This is known as acoustic feedback. Modern hearing aids have sophisticated feedback-management systems designed to reduce this problem. However, feedback can still occur under certain circumstances. Why Are My Hearing Aids Whistling? There are several possible reasons your hearing aids may be whistling. 1. Your Hearing Aid Is Not Fitted Correctly One of the most common causes is an issue with the fit. If the hearing aid, ear mould or dome does not fit securely in your ear, amplified sound can escape. That escaping sound may then be picked up by the microphone and amplified again. This can result in whistling. A hearing professional can check whether the hearing aid is sitting correctly and whether the fitting needs to be changed. 2. Earwax Can Cause Hearing Aid Feedback Earwax can sometimes contribute to hearing aid feedback. If there is a significant amount of wax in the ear canal, amplified sound may reflect off the wax and return towards the hearing aid. This can increase the likelihood of feedback. Earwax can also interfere with the way a hearing aid or ear mould sits in the ear. If you wear hearing aids and are experiencing new or persistent whistling, it may be worth having your ears checked for wax build-up. Do not attempt to remove deep earwax yourself with cotton buds or other objects. Professional earwax assessment and removal may be appropriate if there is a blockage. 3. Your Hearing Aid May Need Cleaning Wax, moisture and debris can affect the performance of your hearing aids. For example, if the microphone opening, speaker or wax filter becomes blocked, the device may not work as intended. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your hearing aids functioning properly. The exact cleaning routine depends on the type of hearing aid you use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the advice provided by your hearing-care professional. 4. The Hearing Aid May Have Moved Sometimes the hearing aid simply moves out of its correct position. This can happen while: Putting on glasses Wearing a hat Adjusting your hair Exercising Sleeping Removing a face covering Touching your ear Putting the hearing aid in or taking it out If the hearing aid moves slightly, the seal between the device and your ear may change. That can allow amplified sound to escape and cause feedback. Try carefully repositioning the hearing aid. If it repeatedly moves or whistles, speak to your hearing professional about the fit. 5. Your Ear Mould or Dome May Not Fit Properly People’s ears change over time. The shape of the ear canal can also change, and an ear mould or dome that previously fitted well may eventually become less effective. If there is too much space around the hearing aid, sound can escape more easily. This may result in feedback. Your hearing professional can assess the fit and determine whether a different dome, mould or fitting is appropriate. 6. Your Hearing Aids May Be Set Too Loud Hearing aids need to provide enough amplification to make speech and other important sounds accessible. However, excessive amplification can sometimes increase the risk of feedback. If your hearing aids have recently been adjusted and you have started experiencing persistent whistling, contact your hearing-care professional. The settings may need to be reviewed. This does not necessarily mean that the hearing aids are unsuitable for you. A relatively small programming adjustment may improve the situation. 7. Holding Your Hand Near Your Ear Can Cause Whistling You may notice that your hearing aids whistle when you put your hand close to your ear. This is because your hand can reflect amplified sound back towards the hearing aid microphone. You might experience the same effect when: Hugging someone Putting your phone near your ear Adjusting your hair Wearing a hat Placing your hand behind your ear Occasional feedback in these situations does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, if your hearing aids whistle when your hands are nowhere near your ears, they should be checked. 8. Your Hearing May Have Changed Changes in your hearing can sometimes affect the amount of amplification your hearing aids need. If your hearing levels have changed, your existing hearing-aid settings may no longer be ideal. If you have noticed a sudden increase in feedback alongside a change in your hearing, arrange a hearing assessment. Your hearing professional can determine whether your hearing aids need reprogramming or whether another issue needs to be investigated. Why Do My Hearing Aids Whistle When I Put Them In? It is fairly common for hearing aids to make a brief whistling sound while you are putting them in. Until the device is correctly positioned in your ear,

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to Hearing Aids? Getting hearing aids can make everyday conversations, television, music and other sounds much easier to hear. However, one of the most common questions people have after receiving their first hearing aids is: how long does it take to get used to hearing aids? The short answer is that everyone is different. Some people become comfortable with their hearing aids within a few days, while others need several weeks to fully adjust. This is completely normal. When you have been living with hearing loss, your brain has become accustomed to hearing the world in a particular way. Hearing aids introduce sounds that may have been quiet, unclear or completely inaudible for some time. Your brain needs time to learn how to process these sounds again. You may initially notice things such as your own voice sounding different, background noises becoming more noticeable or everyday sounds seeming louder than expected. The good news is that these sensations usually become easier to manage as your brain adapts. How Long Does It Take to Get Used to Hearing Aids? For many people, getting used to hearing aids takes a few weeks. You may notice improvements almost immediately, particularly when speaking to someone face-to-face in a quiet environment. However, becoming completely comfortable wearing hearing aids throughout the day can take longer. A typical adjustment period may look something like this: The first few days During the first few days, your hearing aids may sound unusual. You might suddenly notice: Your own voice sounds louder Footsteps are more noticeable Clothing makes a rustling sound Taps and running water seem louder Doors closing sound different Background noise becomes more obvious Speech sounds clearer but unfamiliar This doesn’t necessarily mean that your hearing aids are incorrectly fitted. Your brain has spent a long time interpreting sounds based on your existing level of hearing. Hearing aids change the amount of sound reaching your ears, so your brain needs time to adapt. The first few weeks After several days or a couple of weeks, many people find that sounds begin to feel more natural. You may start wearing your hearing aids for longer periods and become less conscious of them. Conversations may require less concentration, and sounds that initially seemed distracting may become easier to ignore. Your brain gradually learns which sounds are important and which sounds can be filtered into the background. After several weeks By this point, many people are comfortable wearing their hearing aids for most of the day. You may no longer notice them as much, and putting them on can become part of your normal morning routine. However, there is no fixed deadline for becoming accustomed to hearing aids. Some people adapt quickly, while others require more time and additional adjustments. Why Do Hearing Aids Sound Strange at First? One of the biggest reasons people struggle initially is that hearing aids don’t simply make everything louder. Modern hearing aids are designed to process sound and amplify different frequencies according to your hearing needs. If you have had hearing loss for several years, some sounds may have gradually disappeared from your everyday experience. For example, you may not have been hearing higher-frequency sounds clearly. When those sounds are amplified again, they can initially seem unusual. You may suddenly notice: Birds Cutlery Paper rustling Keys Shoes on hard floors Dishes Traffic Children’s voices Your own breathing These sounds can become less noticeable as your brain learns to process them again. Why Does My Voice Sound Strange With Hearing Aids? A common complaint from new hearing-aid users is: “My voice sounds strange.” You may feel that your voice is louder, fuller, echoing or slightly different. This can happen because your hearing aids are changing the way sound reaches your ears. When you speak, you hear your voice through both the air and vibrations travelling through your head and body. Hearing aids can alter the balance between these sounds. This effect is sometimes referred to as occlusion, particularly when part of the ear canal is blocked by an earmould or hearing-aid fitting. For many people, this sensation becomes less noticeable with time. However, if your own voice continues to sound uncomfortable or excessively loud, tell your hearing-care professional. Your hearing aids may be able to be adjusted to make them more comfortable. Should You Wear Hearing Aids All Day? If your hearing-care professional has recommended regular use, gradually increasing your wearing time can help you adapt. You don’t necessarily need to force yourself to wear them continuously from the first day if they feel overwhelming. Instead, you can build up your wearing time. For example: Day 1: Wear them for a few hours in a quiet environment. Day 2–3: Increase the amount of time you wear them. Following days: Start using them during normal activities and conversations. Eventually, you can work towards wearing them throughout the day if that is comfortable and appropriate for you. The goal is not simply to tolerate your hearing aids. The goal is for them to become a normal part of everyday life. Start in a Quiet Environment One of the easiest ways to get used to hearing aids is to begin somewhere quiet. Try wearing them at home while doing normal activities. You could: Have a conversation with a family member Read a book Watch television Listen to music Walk around your home Prepare a meal This gives your brain an opportunity to process the new sounds without being overwhelmed by a busy environment. Once you feel comfortable, gradually introduce more challenging listening situations. What About Restaurants and Busy Places? Restaurants, cafés and other busy environments can be challenging even for people with relatively good hearing. When you first start wearing hearing aids, these environments can feel particularly overwhelming because there may suddenly be much more sound reaching your ears. There may be: Multiple conversations Plates and cutlery Background music Traffic Kitchen noise Chairs moving People speaking from different directions Don’t

Can Swimming Cause Ear Problems? Ear Wax, Swimmer’s Ear and Blocked Ears Swimming is a great way to stay active, but spending time in the pool can sometimes leave your ears feeling blocked, uncomfortable or unusually full. You may notice muffled hearing after swimming, water trapped inside the ear or irritation around the ear canal. In some cases, swimming can contribute to a condition commonly known as swimmer’s ear. But can swimming actually cause ear wax build-up? And what should you do if your ear feels blocked after swimming? Can Swimming Cause Ear Wax Build-Up? Swimming does not necessarily cause your ears to produce more ear wax. However, water entering the ear canal can sometimes affect how existing wax behaves. If you already have a build-up of ear wax, water may become trapped behind or around the wax. This can make your ear suddenly feel more blocked and may temporarily affect your hearing. Some people notice symptoms such as: Muffled hearing A blocked or plugged feeling Pressure or fullness in the ear Water trapped inside the ear Reduced hearing after swimming Mild discomfort If these symptoms continue after swimming, ear wax may be one possible cause. Why Does My Ear Feel Blocked After Swimming? A blocked ear after swimming can happen for several reasons. One possibility is simply that water has entered the ear canal. Another is that existing ear wax is preventing water from draining normally. When water interacts with wax already present in the ear canal, you may notice a sudden change in hearing. However, blocked ears are not always caused by ear wax. Changes in pressure, inflammation, infection and other ear conditions can also cause similar symptoms. What Is Swimmer’s Ear? Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal. It can occur when water remains in the ear canal, creating a moist environment that can encourage bacterial growth. Symptoms can include: Ear pain or tenderness Itching inside the ear Redness or irritation A blocked sensation Discharge from the ear Reduced hearing The condition can become uncomfortable and may require medical treatment. If you develop significant ear pain, discharge, swelling or worsening symptoms after swimming, seek appropriate medical advice. Can Swimming Make Ear Wax Worse? If you already have impacted or excessive ear wax, swimming can sometimes make the symptoms more noticeable. Water can become trapped around existing wax, potentially making the ear feel more blocked. You may suddenly notice that sounds are quieter or muffled after leaving the pool. This does not necessarily mean that swimming has created new ear wax. There may have already been a build-up that became more noticeable after your ears were exposed to water. Can You Swim With Ear Wax Build-Up? Whether you should swim with ear wax build-up depends on the circumstances. If you know you have significant ear wax blockage, swimming may make the blocked sensation worse. If your ears are painful, inflamed or producing discharge, it is particularly important to seek professional advice rather than continuing to swim and attempting to treat the problem yourself. If you regularly experience blocked ears after swimming, having your ears assessed can help determine whether wax is contributing to the problem. How Can You Prevent Ear Problems When Swimming? There are several simple steps that may help reduce problems associated with water entering the ears. Keep Your Ears Dry After swimming, gently dry the outside of your ears with a towel. Avoid pushing cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal. Consider Suitable Swimming Ear Plugs Swimming ear plugs can help reduce the amount of water entering the ear canal. If you regularly experience ear problems when swimming, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional about whether swimming ear plugs are suitable for you. Don’t Put Objects Into Your Ears Cotton buds and other objects can push ear wax deeper into the ear canal and irritate the delicate skin. The ear generally has its own natural cleaning process, so inserting objects into the ear canal is not recommended. Deal With Existing Ear Wax If you regularly develop blocked ears after swimming, existing ear wax could be contributing to the problem. Professional ear wax assessment and removal may be appropriate if excessive or impacted wax is causing symptoms. How Do You Get Water Out of Your Ear After Swimming? If water has entered your ear, start by gently tilting your head to the affected side and allowing gravity to help the water drain. You can also gently pull the outer ear in different directions while tilting your head. Avoid inserting cotton buds, fingers or other objects into the ear canal. If your ear continues to feel blocked, particularly if you have reduced hearing, pain or other symptoms, it is worth having the ear checked rather than repeatedly trying to remove the water yourself. When Should You Have Your Ear Checked? A blocked ear after swimming is not necessarily serious, but persistent symptoms should not automatically be blamed on water. Consider getting your ear assessed if you experience: Hearing that remains muffled Persistent ear blockage Ear pain Itching or irritation Discharge Recurrent problems after swimming A significant change in hearing Symptoms that are getting worse An ear examination can help identify whether wax, inflammation, infection or another issue could be responsible. Can Ear Wax Removal Help If Your Ear Feels Blocked After Swimming? If excessive or impacted ear wax is responsible for the blockage, professional ear wax removal may help restore the ear canal and improve hearing. At Cleaner Ears, ear wax can be assessed before treatment to determine whether removal is appropriate. Microsuction ear wax removal is one professional method used to remove troublesome ear wax under direct visualisation. If you are in Ruislip and regularly experience blocked ears after swimming, professional ear care may help identify whether ear wax is contributing to the problem. Ear Wax Removal in Ruislip Cleaner Ears provides professional ear care in Ruislip for people experiencing troublesome ear wax and blocked