How to Correctly Maintain and Clean Your Hearing Aids

Man cleaning his hearing aid.

Hearing aids are crucial devices that improve your hearing and enhance your quality of life. They do, however, need to be routinely cleaned and properly maintained just like any technology does. Routine maintenance can substantially increase their lifespan and ensure you’re hearing clearly. In this guide, we’ll go through the steps to effectively clean and care for your hearing aids.

Keeping your hearing aids clean and getting professional tunings

To keep your hearing aids working at their best, daily or weekly cleaning is essential. A quick cleaning routine doesn’t take much time but goes a long way in maintaining sound quality and device longevity.

We recommend you periodically bring your hearing aids in for a professional tune-up in addition to your regular cleaning schedule. Think of it like going to the dentist, while brushing and flossing are helpful, professional cleanings ensure the best results. Usually, you are encouraged to bring your hearing aids in every six months for a deep clean by a specialist. This helps to detect any problems your device may have and helps keep it in excellent working order.

Basic daily care tips

The performance and longevity of your hearing aids can be considerably increased by using these few basic tips. Consider the following tips to avoid common obstacles:

Protect From Temperature Extremes: Extreme weather conditions can damage your hearing aids. If it’s particularly cold or hot, leave your devices inside rather than bringing them outside.
Safe Storage: When they’re not being used, keep your hearing aids stored in a protective case or in their charger to avoid exposure to dirt or physical damage.
Use a Dehumidifier: Storing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier at night can help keep them dry and free of moisture that could cause malfunction.
Wash Hands Before Handling: Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids to avoid transferring oils or debris that could interfere with their function.
Before Bed, Clean Them: When you clean your hearing aids before bed they will be totally dry by the time you get up and put them back in.
Keep Them Free of Moisture and Chemicals: Your hearing aids can be damaged by too much moisture. Before swimming, taking a shower, or using products like hair spray, be sure you remove them.

Tools for proper hearing aid care

Taking care of your hearing aids requires the right tools. Here are some of the things you can expect to find in a hearing aid care kit:

Cleaning brush: For cleaning excessive wax and dust.
Microfiber cloth: Great for wiping down the surface of your hearing aids.
Slim tube cleaner: To clear out any debris stuck in the hearing aid tubes.
Hearing aid dryer: Helps get rid of moisture, particularly after a long day of use.
Wax pick or loop: For delicately cleaning out earwax from small crevices.

Our hearing specialists can help you keep your hearing aids in great working order by guiding you to the appropriate tools and maintenance practices.

Step-by-step cleaning based on hearing aid type

There are some minor differences in how you clean different models of hearing aids. Two of the primary types of hearing aids are Behind-the-ear (BTE) and In-The-Ear (ITE): Here are precise cleaning instructions for each type.

How to clean In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids

Brush Debris Away: Gently wipe away any debris or earwax from the surface of your hearing aid while holding it face down.
Remove Wax with a Loop: Use a wax loop or pick to thoroughly extract any remaining earwax.
Wipe the Exterior: Wipe down the entire outer surface with a microfiber cloth to eliminate any residue.
Clear the Ventilation Tube: Push a slim cleaning tool through the vent tube to ensure there’s no blockage.

How to clean Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids

Use a Wax Pick: Use a loop pick to remove any stubborn wax that may remain.
Clear the Tubing: Push a pipe cleaner through the tubing to remove wax or moisture, then clean the outside with a cloth.
Reassemble and Test: Once everything is dry, reassemble your hearing aids and test to make sure they’re working properly.
Clean the Aid: Carefully wipe away any dirt or wax while holding the device face down, paying particular attention to the area around the receiver and microphone.
Clean the Microphone Openings: Brush the microphone openings to ensure they’re clear of debris.
Soak the Ear Mold: Loosen any buildup on the ear molds by detaching them and soaking them in warm soapy water. Get rid of any excess moisture with a tubing blower and finish with a dry cloth.
Detach the Tubing: The first thing to do is remove the tube from the device.

Protecting against ear infections through proper hygiene

Beyond maintaining your devices, it’s equally important to clean your ears. Earwax accumulation not only inhibits your hearing aids but can also result in discomfort and infection. Regularly cleaning your ears and hearing aids will help reduce the risk of these problems.

Set up a professional hearing aid cleaning

Your hearing aids will serve you well for many years with proper maintenance.

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