How to clean your hearing aids

 

Hearing aids are a significant investment. To keep them in top working condition, they require regular cleaning. Unlike most electronics, hearing aids have to operate in conditions that are far from ideal: The inside of your ear canals where they are subjected to earwax and moisture.

Regular cleaning combined with routine maintenance provided by your hearing care professional will give you years of reliable better hearing.

How often should you clean hearing aids?

To get the most from your hearing aids, we recommend cleaning them every day.

In a survey by the American Academy of Audiology, nearly two-thirds of hearing aid users said they clean their devices daily to several times a week. Less commonly, some people admitted to cleaning their devices anywhere from once a week to only a few times a year or never.

What are the best cleaning tips for hearing aids?

• Keep them away from moisture and chemicals: Take hearing aids out before showering or bathing. Put your aids in after you apply hair products like sprays or gels, and be careful when using sunscreen or other creams.
• Clean your devices at the end of every day: This gives them several hours to air out before you will put them in again. Avoid wipes with chemicals or alcohol when cleaning hearing aids as they could damage the devices.
• Avoid extreme temperatures and moisture: Extreme heat or cold can damage your hearing aids; so can excessive exposure to moisture. Store them in a cool dry, place when not in use. Dry them immediately if they get wet, because most hearing aids are not waterproof.
• Keep them in a case or in their charger unit when not using them: This will protect them from dirt and damage.
• Wash your hands before cleaning your hearing aids to avoid transferring dirt or germs onto them.

What hearing aid cleaning tools should you use?

Hearing aid tools can help you remove earwax from your devices. Earwax can accumulate in the opening at the end of a hearing aid where the sound comes out causing muffled sound or feedback (whistling). If buildup is there for long enough it can damage the receiver.

Always follow the guidance of your hearing aid provider. Most likely, they'll recommend one or more of these common cleaning tools:

• Hearing aid cleaning brush: The soft brush tip cleans the body, faceplate or sound port of a hearing device. Some brushes have a magnetic battery removal tool to ease daily cleaning of aids.
• Wax pick or wire loop: This tool is designed to help remove wax and other debris safely from hearing aid nooks and holes.
• Wax filters: Your devices may come with wax guards or filters that need to be periodically changed.
• Multi-tool: These all-in-one tools are versatile because they contain both a brush and a wax loop for thorough cleaning.

How to clean ITE (in the ear) hearing aids

When cleaning an ITE model:

1. Focus your cleaning on the openings in the device, including the microphone ports. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a brush provided by your hearing healthcare professional to clear away built-up wax.
2. Hold the device with the opening you are cleaning facing downward so any loose particles will fall out of the hearing aid instead of staying lodged inside.
3. Next, use a wax pick or hook to clear anything out of the holes that didn’t come out with the brush.
4. It can vary, but in general, change out the wax filter every three to four weeks.
5. Finish by wiping the entire device with a clean, dry cloth or tissue. This will remove debris from the case of the hearing aid.
6. Never submerge the devices in any fluid.

How to clean BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids

To clean a BTE hearing aid: 

1. Examine the device for debris and remove it with a soft brush or a dry cloth.
2. For domes (the small tip that sits in the ear canal), you can wipe them clean with the cloth. They should be completely replaced every one to two months.
3. For earmolds with speakers in them: Remove the earmold from the hook to clean it. You can use a multitool wire loop to clean the opening.
4. For earmolds without speakers, remove the earmold from the hook to clean it. Next, you can wash them in warm, soapy water. Use a bulb blower to force water out of the tubing and then allow it to dry completely overnight.
5. For all earmolds: They may develop a slight odor over time, but a strong odor could indicate you have an ear infection, so consult your hearing healthcare professional if you notice it.

How do you care for hearing aid batteries?

• For hearing aids with "button" batteries, remove the batteries and keep the battery compartment open to dry overnight. Dispose of the button batteries carefully; they can be fatal if ingested by a pet or child. Brush the battery compartment with the cleaning brush.
• If they're rechargeable, dock them according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Do you need a hearing aid dehumidifier?

In some cases, it may be worthwhile to use a hearing aid dehumidifier, especially if you live in a humid climate, spend considerable time outdoors or perspire heavily.

There are two types of hearing aid dehumidifiers. One type is a simple plastic jar with a desiccant that draws out moisture overnight. The other type is called a dry & store unit that uses ultraviolet light and air to dry and sanitize hearing aids.

Both accessories are likely available through your hearing healthcare professional or online. Some rechargeable docking cases also dehumidify the devices as they charge.

Related: Check out our full list of hearing aid accessories.

Proper cleaning and maintenance will help you get years of trouble-free wear with your hearing aids.

Is it time for new hearing aids?

Even with the best care, hearing aids do have a natural lifespan of roughly 3-7 years. If you're noticing problems with your device or experiencing a decline in sound quality, it may be time for an upgrade. 

Learn more: Should I get new hearing aids?

When to see a professional

Hearing aids should be professionally cleaned roughly every six months or as recommended by your hearing care provider. They have tools such as vacuums with special attachments that gently remove wax from hard-to-reach places. Specialists also know how to clean vents, microphone screens, windscreens, and receivers safely.

If you are not sure how to properly clean your hearing aids or if you feel your devices need special attention, ask your hearing care professional for help.

If you need help finding an audiologist or hearing care specialist near you, our directory of consumer-reviewed hearing clinics is a good place to start.