An audiologist’s guide to cleaning your hearing aids

Preparing to clean your hearing aids

Always wash your hands before cleaning your hearing aids and make sure to set them on a sanitary surface. Your hearing aids may come with a cleaning kit. If not, gather these supplies before you begin:

• Hearing aid brush
• Wax pick or loop
• Slim tube cleaning tool (if applicable)
• Hearing aid disinfectant
• Microfiber cloth

Depending on your device, you may also want to use an earmold tubing blower and a hearing aid dryer. Some dryers have a built-in UV light that acts as a disinfectant.

Daily cleaning routine

Developing a daily cleaning routine keeps your hearing aids in good condition and reduces the effort for weekly deep cleans. When you take your hearing aids off before showering or going to bed, simply wipe them off with a soft dry cloth, removing any visible debris.

Cleaning Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids

1. Examine hearing aids for any external debris. Gently wipe the device with a soft dry cloth.
2. Brush the spine or back of the hearing aid with a cleaning brush, removing any debris from the microphones and around the push buttons on the device.
3. For hearing aids with domes: Wipe off the domes with a soft dry cloth.
4. For hearing aids with earmolds: Remove the earmold from the hook. Follow the directions in your manual to see if you have snap-on or threaded style tubing. Wipe down the earmold with mild soap and water, avoiding getting water in the tubing. If it does get wet, use a tubing blower to dry it out.
5.  Use a slim tube cleaning tool to remove any accumulated wax. Dr. Hinson suggests using dental bridge and implant floss to clean tubing and hearing aid vents. She also recommends using Proxysoft, a cleaner that’s formulated for hearing aids.
6. Allow the hearing aid to dry for at least an hour before using, preferably overnight.

Cleaning In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids

1. Wipe the outside of the hearing aid with a soft dry cloth using small, circular motions. Hold the device face down and take care not to push debris into the receiver.
2. Use a wax loop to remove any remaining residue from crevices. Unless you have a vent plug, you can push a slim tube cleaning tool through the ventilation tube.
3. Check the filter and change if needed.
4. Wipe down the exterior again, using a brush to wipe down the exterior faceplate. If you use any cleaning products, make sure the device is completely dry before turning it back on.

Cleaning Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing Aids

1. Holding the hearing aid upside down, brush any external debris off the device, especially away from the microphone port and around any push buttons or toggles.
2. Pop the dome off and clean it with a soft dry cloth. Check to make sure the wax guard is free from debris.
3. Reattach the dome. Brush debris away from the microphone.

Weekly deep cleaning

When conducting weekly deep cleanings, make sure to pay attention to these details for best results.

Inspecting for debris and damage

Daily and weekly cleaning should not only remove debris, but also check for damage. For example, domes and wax guards need to be periodically replaced.

Using cleaning kits and disinfectants safely

Only use cleaning tools and disinfectants that are audiologist-approved. Never use household cleaners such as alcohol or wipes on your hearing aids.

Replacing wax guards

Wax guards need to be replaced approximately once a month. They may need to be replaced more often if you can sense a decrease in sound or effectiveness. Follow your device’s manual for specific instructions on how to replace the wax guard.

Maintaining hearing aid earmolds and tubing

If you have a hearing aid that uses an earmold instead of a dome, you’ll need to check off the cleaning tasks below.

Removing and cleaning earmolds

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove the earmold from your device. Wash the earmold in warm soapy water and let dry completely before reattaching.

Ensuring tubing is blockage-free

Use an earmold tubing blower and make sure the tubing is free of wax and other debris. If you don’t have an earmold tubing blower, you can also use a thin tube tool or dental bridge floss.

Reattaching earmolds correctly

Let the earmolds dry for at least an hour before reattaching.

Best practices for battery care

After cleaning your hearing aids, when it’s not in use, it’s best to leave the battery compartment open overnight. This can extend the life of your rechargeable batteries. Just be sure to store the device in a dry place, preferably in a dehumidifier or UV cleaner.

Cleaning battery contacts

Use a dry q-tip to gently wipe away any debris. Dr. Hinson notes to keep an eye out for battery corrosion or bent contacts. Don’t use rubbing alcohol or any other cleaning products that may damage the device.

Replacing batteries safely

Make sure the battery compartment is completely dry before replacing the batteries. Open the battery door, peel the sticker off the battery, and line up the +/- signs. Press the battery into the compartment firmly and wait 5 seconds before closing the door.

Storing spare batteries

Keep hearing aid batteries in a cool, dry place.

Tips for moisture and humidity control

Moisture damages most hearing aids. Even if your device is technically water-resistant, you should never allow your hearing aids to become fully submerged in water.

Are hearing aid dehumidifiers worth it?

If you live in a humid area, the atmosphere may already dampen your devices without you knowing it. For this reason, we recommend investing in a hearing aid dehumidifier to store your hearing aids overnight or when you aren’t using them.

Active people who sweat a lot may also be at an increased risk of causing unintentional water damage to their devices and may benefit from storing them in a dehumidifier daily.

Storing hearing aids in a safe, dry place

Even if you don’t use a dehumidifier, you should at least store your hearing aids in a clean, dry place when you aren’t using them. You might store them in a designated case or on a soft, clean microfiber cloth.

Identifying and preventing moisture damage

If your hearing aids accidentally get wet, take them out of your ears, turn them off, and dry them immediately with a microfiber cloth. Place them in a dryer or dehumidifier if you have one. You should call your audiologist to see what to do next.

Professional cleaning and maintenance

On average, hearing aids typically last between 3-7 years. To maximize their potential, you should take them to your audiologist for a professional cleaning every six to 12 months, or if you notice that they aren’t working as well as they should. These cleanings aren’t free, but you can often purchase a service plan when you buy your hearing aids. Because hearing aid costs add up, a bundled service plan—though pricier upfront—often reduces lifetime maintenance expenses.

When to seek professional cleaning

You should see an audiologist every six to 12 months so they can professionally clean your hearing aids with their equipment and adjust your devices as needed. You can also take your devices to a professional if you notice a decrease in quality.

Understanding warranty and service plans

When you purchase a prescription hearing aid, you often have the option of bundling a service plan through your audiologist. This bonus is different from the manufacturer’s warranty and usually covers a certain number of professional cleanings. On the other hand, the warranty guarantees the product against manufacturer’s defects.

Common mistakes to avoid

While cleaning is an important part of maintenance, it’s equally as important to clean properly so as to avoid damaging your devices. Take care not to push debris into your device’s receiver and only use cleaning solutions formulated for hearing aids.

Using the wrong cleaning agents

Alcohol and other cleaning agents can damage your hearing aids and void the warranty. Only use audiologist-approved cleaners or solutions that came with your device to clean.

Ignoring ear hygiene’s effects on hearing aids

If you are prone to excessive earwax buildup, make sure to keep your ears clean. While you should never put anything in your ears such as q-tips, you might use an at-home ear wax removal kit or other audiologist-approved method for removing excessive wax. This not only simplifies cleaning your hearing aids, but also helps prevent painful ear infections due to impacted ear wax.

Failing to regularly clean and inspect your hearing aids

Clogged hearing aids won’t function as well as well maintained devices. In the long run, a build-up of debris can get pushed into the receiver and cause permanent damage. While most prescription hearing aids are covered by a warranty, the manufacturer may deem it void if you neglect to clean your devices.

Additional resources

While standard advice relates to most devices, you should always read your owner’s manual for particulars before attempting to clean your hearing aids. Find a trusted audiologist who will be able to answer any questions you might have and recommend cleaning products that are safe for your device.

Manufacturer instructions and guidelines

• https://www.phonak.com/en-us/support/maintenance
• https://www.oticon.com/support/how-to/use-and-care/clean-hearing-aid
• https://www.starkey.com/support/learn/care-and-maintenance/cleaning-your-hearing-aids
• https://www.resound.com/en-us/help/maintenance-troubleshooting
• https://www.widex.com/en/blog/global/how-to-look-after-your-hearing-aids/
• https://www.signia.net/en-us/blog/global/cleaning-your-hearing-aids-a-guide/

Recommended cleaning products

Dr. Hinson recommends using Proxysoft or Audiologist’s Choice hearing aid cleaner. Remember, never use common household cleaners and always get an audiologist’s approval before using any solution on your device.

Wrapping up

Cleaning your hearing aids doesn’t take long, but it significantly pays off with better performance and a longer lifespan for your devices. Always read your manual first and ask your audiologist questions about your specific type of hearing aid. Your audiologist can show you how to disassemble your device for weekly deep cleanings and give you further advice on how to get the most out of your hearing aids.