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 written by a Starkey hearing aid user and was originally published on www.starkey.com.