3 Things You Should Know About Hearing Aid Cleaning Wire
Keeping your hearing aid clean is essential, but which tools should you use? Some experts recommend a hearing aid cleaning wire, due to the benefits which are described below.
How Do Cleaning Wires Work?
These cleansing wires are designed for thin tubing and lifetubing. They are distinct from standardized tubing which fits inside the mold since thin tubing doesn’t utilize the mold and will instead utilize a miniature dome to install within the ear.
These cleansing wires appear as thin tubes made from plastic that are usually black or blue in color. They have a length of ten cm and because this wire has great flexibility, it is quite maneuverable within thin tubing. It can push through wax, debris or moisture which is present in the tube.
When using this device, it is essential first to extract your hearing aid from its tube since you don’t want to accidentally push debris or earwax into the hearing device. For removal, all you need to do is either unclip or unscrew it. Once this is done, push your cleansing wire through it fully, and if it gets stuck near the bends just continue to gently push. Once you have it all the way through, you’ll want to wipe down the cleaning wire using tissue then screw the tubing’s top back on.
How Does it compare to Vent Cleaners?
A lot of hearing aid molds use a component which is referred to as a vent. This is a small narrow hole that extends through a mold to a point external to the ear. The purpose of this vent is to minimize blockage and occlusion which would otherwise be felt by having a mold in your ear. A bigger vent equals superior performance. These vents can also act to aerate your ear which is extremely important if you have a hole in the eardrum or an infection.
It is also beneficial to those that have eczema or experiencing itchiness because the mold is causing discomfort. They range in diameter from 0.5mm to 3mm. The vent will either be added during manufacture or by the audiologist. However, the disadvantage of using a vent in comparison to a cleaning wire is clogging. The vent may become clogged as the result of moisture, wax or debris that can accumulate within, and it can be tough to clean since the hole is really small.
How to Maintain Your Cleaning Wire and Vent Tool
However, there are vent cleansing tools that also use a thin wire made of plastic that is the same diameter as the vent, and as such can be used to clean out any debris or wax. When choosing a cleaning wire or vent tool, it is important to verify that it is actually designed for hearing aids. The reason is that some models are not the right size, which means you won’t be able to use them. To be on the safe side, it is recommended to buy a vent cleaner that comes in multiple sizes to ensure your device is covered. You should also have your hearing aid inspected every six months by your audiologist to ensure it is working correctly.