A soft brush, a dry cloth, and a few minutes at the end of the day can do a lot for the way your hearing aids sound. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents the frustration of wax and moisture interfering with sound.
At Hear Virginia in Richmond, VA, audiologist Lori Klein Gardner, Au.D., FAAA, and hearing instrument specialist Drucella Wachob can demonstrate how to care for your specific devices and explain when they need professional cleaning or maintenance. Using the right tools and methods for daily and weekly care helps maintain comfortable listening and remove buildup without making the problem worse.
How Often Should You Clean Hearing Aids, and How Thoroughly?
You should clean hearing aids lightly every day and inspect them more thoroughly about once a week. Daily care removes surface residue before it builds up around the microphone openings, earpiece, and sound outlet. Choose a consistent time, such as after taking them out at night.
Follow your model’s instructions for the weekly inspection. You may need more frequent attention if you produce a lot of earwax, perspire heavily, or spend time in humid conditions.
Wax filters, domes, and tubing have their own replacement schedules. Check them regularly and replace them as needed or as directed, rather than relying on a single universal calendar.
Professional cleaning should supplement home care. Ask our hearing care team how often to return based on your devices, wax buildup, and previous maintenance needs.
Do Behind-the-Ear and In-the-Ear Styles Need Different Cleaning?
Behind-the-ear and in-the-ear styles do need different cleaning, because their tubing, speakers, and openings sit in different places. Traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids may send sound through hollow plastic tubing to a separate earmold. Some earmolds without electronics can be detached and washed if the manufacturer permits it. Keep the electronic hearing aid body out of water.
Receiver-in-canal hearing aids have a speaker inside the earpiece, connected to the behind-the-ear body by a thin wire. Wipe these components carefully and follow the specific instructions for dome and wax-filter care.
In-the-ear, in-the-canal, and completely-in-canal devices sit partly or entirely inside the ear. Their surfaces, vents, and sound outlets are exposed to wax and skin oils. Small openings require gentle handling and the appropriate cleaning tools.
If you are unsure whether an earpiece contains electronics, ask before detaching or washing it. Similar-looking parts can require different care, and your model’s instructions should guide the process. Our overview of hearing aid styles can help you identify yours.
What Does an Everyday Hearing Aid Cleaning Routine Involve?
An everyday hearing aid cleaning routine involves turning the device off, wiping and inspecting it, brushing the microphone openings, and then drying, storing, or charging it. Wash and dry your hands, then work over a clean towel on a stable surface. Handle one hearing aid at a time so you can keep track of its parts. Try this sequence:
- Turn the device off using its normal controls.
- Wipe the casing and earpiece with a soft, dry cloth.
- Inspect the dome, earmold, and sound outlet for visible buildup.
- Gently brush across microphone openings, directing debris downward.
- Check charging contacts or accessible battery areas as instructed.
- Follow the recommended drying, storage, or charging routine.
Wax may be easier to brush away after drying overnight. You can complete that step the next morning if needed.
For disposable-battery models, instructions may include opening the battery compartment overnight. Rechargeable aids follow a different routine; do not try to open a sealed battery compartment.
Before wearing the aids again, check that removable earpieces are securely attached and the devices are dry.
What Weekly Hearing Aid Maintenance Do Most Devices Need?
Most devices need weekly hearing aid maintenance that includes checking for persistent wax, changing blocked wax filters, and inspecting domes and tubing for wear. This closer look reaches areas that need more attention than a quick wipe. Watch for worn domes and stiff, cracked, or discolored tubing. Damaged parts may need replacement rather than additional cleaning.
Change a wax filter when required, using the exact type specified for your device. Don’t assume every filter needs weekly replacement. Use a vent cleaner or wax loop only in the locations Lori Klein Gardner or Drucella Wachob has demonstrated.
If washing a detachable earmold is permitted, disconnect it as instructed, use the approved washing method, and let it and any washable tubing dry completely before reconnecting.
Inspect your charger and remove dust or residue according to its instructions. If buildup remains difficult to remove or sound stays weak, arrange professional service.
Which Cleaning Products and Tools Should Richmond Wearers Avoid?
Richmond hearing aid wearers should avoid water on the electronics, unapproved chemical cleaners, sharp or improvised tools, and heat sources. Do not immerse the electronic hearing aid or a speaker-containing earpiece in water. A water-resistance rating does not automatically mean the device can be washed.
Avoid household detergents, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and other chemicals unless your manufacturer explicitly approves a particular product and method. Even a cleaner marketed for hearing aids may not suit every component. Never spray cleaner directly into openings.
Do not insert needles, pins, or improvised tools into microphone ports or sound outlets. Pushing harder can drive wax inward or damage the parts you are trying to clean.
Keep hearing aids away from hair dryers, microwaves, and other excessive heat sources. Never dismantle the casing for a deeper clean. If a part will not detach easily or you are unsure what it is, stop and ask for guidance.
Schedule Hearing Aid Care on Patterson Avenue in Richmond
A personalized demonstration can make hearing aid care easier to manage. During an appointment at Hear Virginia, Lori Klein Gardner, Au.D., or Drucella Wachob can review your devices, hearing concerns, health history, and goals for comfortable daily use, then show you each cleaning step for your model.
Call 804-477-1630 or reach us online to schedule a hearing aid care appointment.