How to Clean Hearing Aids

Hearing aids require care and upkeep to stay in top working condition for as long as possible. Part of caring for hearing aids is cleaning them regularly to get rid of the dust, debris and earwax that builds up. This guide will walk you through how to clean your hearing aids and include a list of essential maintenance and care tips.

How often should hearing aid devices be cleaned?

It doesn’t take very long for buildup to accumulate on your hearing aids, which is why you should generally clean them every day. At the end of the day, when you take your hearing aids out, give them a quick clean to get rid of most of that buildup. About once a week, do a more in-depth cleaning of all areas of your hearing aids. Regular cleaning of hearing aids is the best way to keep them fresh and functioning optimally.

Expensive and cheap hearing aids alike also require a professional cleaning approximately every three to six months, depending on the model. Talk to your healthcare professional about how often you should schedule professional cleanings for your hearing aids.

Common cleaning tools you can use

Properly cleaning hearing aids comes down to your technique and the tools you use. While you can buy hearing aid cleaning kits full of tools, you can also purchase all the necessary supplies separately. Consider using the following cleaning tools:

• Multi-tool: A hearing aid multi-tool contains a wax loop on one end and a brush on the other to help you clean all areas of your hearing aids.
• Dry cloth or a barely damp soft cloth: A cloth will gently wipe away any debris on the surface of your hearing aids.
• Wax pick or wire loop: A wax pick or wire loop will help you get into small areas on your hearing aids to remove stubborn buildup.
• Small brush: You can use a small brush to loosen debris and brush it away. If you have an unused soft-bristle toothbrush on hand, that can work in a pinch.

In most cases, you may need to use a combination of these hearing aid cleaning tools. Keep your tools near where you store your hearing aids so you don’t forget to do regular cleanings.

You can find most of these tools online or at drugstores, but your healthcare provider may supply some with your hearing aids. If not, consider asking which tools are best suited to your particular model of hearing aids.

How to clean your hearing aids at home

The proper method for cleaning your hearing aids depends on which type of device you use — ITE/ITC, BTE or RIC hearing aids. For all types of hearing aids, though, make sure you apply these tips:

• Be gentle. Even the best hearing aids are delicate, and it’s easy to damage them while cleaning if you’re not careful. The receiver and microphone are the most fragile components, so be extra gentle when cleaning these areas.
• Brush the battery compartment with a soft brush when you change your hearing aid battery.
• Leave the battery compartment open at night to allow it to air out. This will help extend the life of your battery.
• When cleaning openings, vents and ports on your hearing aids, turn them upside down over a tissue or easy-to-clean surface. That way, any debris or earwax you dislodge off the devices will fall right out instead of going further in.
• Don’t forget to clean the case, too. If you put clean hearing aids in a dirty case, they won’t stay clean for long.

Cleaning ITE and ITC hearing aids

In-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fit inside the ear and have no external component for you to worry about. Follow these steps to clean your ITE or ITC hearing aids correctly.

1. Wipe off your hearing aids using a soft dry cloth.
2. Use a soft brush to gently brush over all the openings on the hearing aids and loosen debris. Pay close attention to vent openings, the microphone cover and the receiver.
3. Take your wax pick or wire loop and gently remove any remaining wax or debris from the areas that didn’t get clean from the brush.
4. Wipe off the hearing aids again with a dry cloth to finish the cleaning.

Cleaning BTE hearing aids

The process for cleaning behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids is slightly different. Follow these steps:

1. Separate the earmold from the hook for easier cleaning.
2. Remove dirt and debris from the hearing aid housing with a soft brush or cloth.
3. Soak the earmold in warm water and dish soap to remove any discoloration and odors. This is the only part of the hearing aid you can clean with water since it doesn’t contain any electronics. Don’t use any chemical cleaners.
4. Wipe the earmold clean and allow it to dry overnight before using it again.
5. To help the tubing dry faster, use an air blower to force out excess water.
6. Ensure the earmold and tubing are completely dry before reattaching them to your hearing aids. Water can cause your hearing aid to malfunction.

Cleaning RIC hearing aids

With receiver-in-canal (RIC) style hearing aids, the cleaning process is similar to BTE hearing aids. These are the steps you should follow for proper cleaning:

1. Use your brush to remove any dirt or debris on the surface of your hearing aids.
2. Massage the dome tip between your thumb and index finger to force out stubborn wax.
3. If you can’t remove a blockage from a dome, consider replacing it with a new one. You should also replace domes when they become misshapen or worn out — generally about every one to two months or as recommended by your healthcare professional.
4. Wipe down the rest of the hearing aid with a dry cloth to remove any remaining debris.

You may wonder what you’re actually cleaning off of your hearing aids during the clean-up process. In general, three main substances can build up on your hearing aids and cause issues if you don’t clean them off.

The most obvious cause of buildup on hearing aids is earwax. Your ears produce earwax to protect and clean the ear canals, but unfortunately, this wax can build up over time on your hearing aids. Any part of your hearing aid that goes into your ear canal will likely accumulate some earwax.

Earwax isn’t the only concern, though. Your hearing aids may have some dirt, dust and grime on them from your environment. Sweat is another possible source of buildup. Even if you don’t notice that you’re sweating, perspiration and body oil can make your hearing aids dirty. Hearing aid cleaning should remove all of these substances and help extend the life of your devices.

Hearing aid maintenance and care tips

Hearing aid users can apply some maintenance and care tips to extend the life of their devices. Simple steps like replacing your hearing aid batteries as needed and not using water to clean hearing aids will go a long way. Try these tips:

Consult your hearing aid manual and healthcare provider

The best place to look for guidance on how to care for your specific hearing aids is the manual that comes with them. Your hearing aid manual contains lots of valuable information about using and caring for your model of hearing aids, and you shouldn’t overlook it. Read through the manual and review the maintenance steps it recommends.

It’s also a good idea to consult the healthcare provider you worked with to get your hearing aids. They can offer additional care tips and suggestions to keep your hearing aids working optimally for as long as possible.

Do not use water, alcohol or chemical wipes

Though cleaning your hearing devices with water or cleaning liquids may be tempting, the moisture can do more harm than good. The electronics in your hearing aids are sensitive and easily damaged by liquids. Don’t use water, alcohol or chemical solutions to clean your hearing aids. Avoid chemical wipes, too — only use cleaning wipes made for hearing aids.

Don’t stick anything inside the microphone or receiver ports

You may notice some dust or earwax buildup in the receiver and microphone ports on your hearing aids. Resist the urge to stick anything inside those ports, though. You can gently clean off the surface of the ports using appropriate cleaning tools for hearing aids but don’t poke those items past the surface of the ports.

If you go too far into these ports, you could damage the internal workings of the hearing aids and prevent them from working properly. It’s best to leave deeper internal cleanings to a professional.

Replace your batteries as needed

Old or damaged batteries can prevent your hearing aids from functioning. If you’re hearing a static sound or your hearing aids aren’t working, try replacing the batteries to check for improvement. Also, make sure to regularly change out the batteries at the end of their expected lifespan.

Don’t store them in the bathroom

Many people store their hearing aids in the bathroom, but that’s not the best idea. Moisture in the air of your bathroom — from shower steam, for instance — can get into the devices and cause damage to the electronics. You’re also more likely to splash water on your hearing aids or accidentally submerge them.

Instead, store your hearing aids in a dry, temperate area like your bedroom. Avoid storing them right near heat or cold sources since hearing aids don’t respond well to extreme temperatures.

Keep them out of reach of pets

Pets have a bad habit of getting into valuable belongings and causing damage. Your pets may chew on or play with your hearing aids if they can access them. To prevent damage, store them in a safe place away from the animals.

Should you clean your own hearing aids or take them to a professional?

When cleaning hearing aids, you have two main options: cleaning them yourself at home or taking them to a professional. It’s not a matter of choosing one or the other, though. The best way to keep your hearing aids clean is to clean them regularly at home and take them to a professional twice to four times yearly.

If you clean your hearing aids at home and still feel like they aren’t clean, it may be time to schedule a professional cleaning. Professionals have specialized tools they use to deep clean your hearing aids safely. They know how to clean all the hard-to-reach areas — including receiver ports, microphone ports and vents — without damaging them. Ask your healthcare professional how often your hearing aids require professional cleaning to understand the ideal schedule.

Keep your hearing aids in shape

Protect the life of your hearing aids with daily cleanings at home and regular professional cleanings. Beyond cleanings, keep your hearing aids in shape by storing them in a temperate, dry area that pets and children can’t reach. If you have any questions about caring for your hearing aids, consult the manual that came with your devices, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your medical professional. Getting hearing aids is a significant investment in your quality of life — use these tips to extend their lifespan as long as possible.