I treat my hearing aids a lot like my car, maybe better actually. Both are routinely treated to cleaning rituals and maintenance tune-ups. And while my car may only get cleaned once a month, I make sure I dry and clean my hearing aids daily, regardless of how long I wear them each day.

But while my day-to-day hearing aid care routine is great, I still make sure that I take my hearing aids into my hearing professional for a full, professional clean at least once a year! Why? Here are my reasons.

• I don’t have the tools or the knowledge to do a safe, deep clean that removes all the built-up wax, debris and oil without damaging the receivers or microphones.
• I am always pleased with the improved audio quality a professional cleaning provides. You’d be shocked at how the wax or debris I can’t get at impacts the quality of speech and music.
• My hearing professional is also able to inspect my hearing aids for any signs of damage and suggest or provide repairs.
• Professional cleaning helps my hearing aids run better, longer.

If professional hearing aid cleanings are not already part of your annual hearing health program, I highly suggest you add them! I am even going to start doing professional cleanings more often now, especially as sweat and wax buildup accumulate faster during the warm, humid summer months.

This blog was originally published by Starkey Hearing Technologies on www.starkey.com/blog.