Our Guide to Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean

Key Takeaways

• Earwax and debris can build up in the ear canal, leading to irritation and potential infection.
• Various tools are available to help you clean and maintain your hearing aids. They include wax loops or picks, brushes, and earmold tubing blowers.
• Keeping up with regular cleaning and maintenance of your hearing aids will help decrease the risk of infection and prolong the life of the devices.
• Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning tools, products, and procedures. This will prevent any unintentional damage due to improper cleaning and maintenance and ensure you don’t void your warranty.
• Cleaning your hearing aids helps keep them functioning correctly so they last longer. Occasional professional cleaning is recommended for best results and usually costs $30–$60.

If you’ve recently purchased a pair of hearing aids or already own a pair, it’s important to understand how to take care of them to protect your ear health and keep your hearing aids in good working order.

Research shows increased ear canal debris caused by hearing aid use can lead to irritation and infection. ^[1]Orji F, et al. The Clinical Implications of Ear Canal Debris in Hearing Aid Users. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. May through June 2014. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048490 Hearing aids with wax buildup or excess moisture can also distort sound quality, so proper maintenance can help you avoid complications and hear better.

Depending on your type of hearing aid, you’ll need different tools or procedures to ensure your hearing aids are clean and continue to operate properly. The main types of hearing aids are:

• Completely-in-canal (CIC)
• In-the-canal (ITC)
• Behind-the-ear (BTE)
• Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
• In-the-ear (ITE)

Some hearing aids come with cleaning kits and specific recommendations for cleaning. Always check the product documentation to see if these are available for your model.

Experts suggest placing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier for night storage to prevent moisture buildup, which can damage electrical components. ^[2]Pinnacle ENT Associates LLC. When Should You Get Your Hearing Aids Professionally Cleaned? April 15, 2020. Found on the internet at https://pentadocs.com/when-should-you-get-your-hearing-aids-professionally-cleaned For the best performance, we recommend regularly taking your hearing aids to your audiologist to check and clean. If you use over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, ask local hearing clinics if they service hearing aids for people who are not patients—more clinics are starting to clean and service OTC hearing aids.

“Hearing aids are regularly exposed to sweat, earwax, dead skin, dirt, and dust that can clog microphones and speakers and affect the electronics. To keep them functioning well, they should be cleaned at least weekly by the user and every six to 12 months by a professional.”rnrn—Rachel Magann Faivre, AuD, owner of Oklahoma City–based Ash Audiology

Tools for cleaning hearing aids

A variety of cleaning products are available for use with your hearing aids. Some are specific to certain hearing aids, while others are more universal. Cleaning kits may be purchased through your hearing aid vendor or local health and drug stores. Here are some of the most common tools:

• Hearing aid brush: A common component of hearing aid tool kits, the brush removes contaminants from the surface, like wax, dirt, or other debris. Individual bristles on the brush are useful to clear the smaller holes on your device.
• Slim tube cleaning tool: These are designed to slide through the tubing of the hearing aids and clear them of dust, dirt, wax, or other contaminants.
• Wax loops: Use a wax pick or loop to clean earwax from the hearing aid opening directed into the ear canal. This buildup can block the sound transmission and interfere with your hearing aid’s functioning. Some of these tools have a loop on one end and a brush or pick on the opposite end.
• Earmold tubing blower: This device gently blows the excess moisture and any remaining debris out of the earmold, tubing, or vents after cleaning.
• NanoClean hearing aid cleaners: These are similar to pipe cleaners but are smaller and can pass through the various tubings and openings of your hearing aids. You can use them in place of or with the slim tube cleaning tool.
• Disinfectant spray: Some of these products contain ingredients that help prevent wax buildup. It’s important to check with the manufacturer’s suggestions for cleaning agents before using any sprays on your hearing aids.
• Microfiber cloth: After cleaning, this soft, lint-free cloth removes the excess wax and debris.
• Hearing aid dryers: Various dehumidifiers and hearing aid drying devices help remove moisture and prevent damage to your hearing aids. Some of these devices include a UV component that cleans and disinfects the device. You can usually purchase these through your hearing care center, hearing aid manufacturer, or stores, like Amazon.

How to clean in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

1. Remove the hearing aid from your ear.
2. Hold the hearing aid face down and use the cleaning brush to lightly remove any earwax or debris from the outer portions of the device. Be sure to include the receiver, microphone covers, and ventilation parts.
3. Use a wax loop or pick to remove any wax buildup or debris that did not come off with the brushing.
4. Use the slim tube cleaning tool by carefully pushing it through the entire length of the ventilation tube (unless you have a vent plug). Once you have completed a pass in one direction, wipe off the cleaner with a soft cloth and reverse the motion, pulling the cleaner back through the ventilation tube.
5. Use a microfiber or other soft cloth to clean the entire surface of the hearing aid.
6. Check the device still works after it’s clean and dry. This is also a good time to check and replace your batteries if necessary.
7. Store your device in the manufacturer-supplied case or use one of the hearing aid dryers or dehumidifiers.

How to clean behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

1. Remove the hearing aid from your ear.
2. You should remove the tubing from the body of the hearing aid, but make sure you know whether it’s a threaded style or snap-on style. Your user manual should describe how to remove each one.
3. Hold the hearing aid face down and use the cleaning brush to lightly remove any earwax or debris from the outer portions of the device. Be sure to include the receiver and microphone covers.
4. Use a wax loop or pick to remove any wax buildup or debris that did not come off with the brushing.
5. Clean the microphone openings on the device with the brush. If your device has a single microphone, it’s usually near the tubing connection. Additional microphones may be located on the back of the hearing aid close to the controls.
6. Remove the tubing from the device and clean the tubing with a pipe cleaner tool by carefully pushing it through the entire length of the ventilation tube. Once you have completed a pass in one direction, wipe off the cleaner with a soft cloth and reverse the motion, pulling the cleaner back through the ventilation tube.
7. Remove the earmold from the device and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, this will include soaking in warm, soapy water, as this piece of the hearing aid has no electrical components. The venting will also be found on the earmold. Brian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, said: “The tubing is replaced every three to four months, sometimes sooner if the tubing becomes stiff. Cleaning the earmolds and venting on the molds can also depend on if vent plugs were installed on the molds.”
8. Use the earmold tubing blower to gently remove any excess moisture or debris from the mold.
9. Dry the earmold and ventilation tube using a microfiber or other clean, soft cloth.
10. Wipe all remaining hearing aid components with the microfiber or other clean, soft cloth.
11. Once all the components are dry, carefully reassemble the earmold and tubing to the hearing aid.
12. Test that the hearing aid still works correctly. Check and replace the batteries if needed.
13. Store your device in the manufacturer-supplied case or use one of the hearing aid dryers or dehumidifiers.

Additional hearing aid cleaning tips

• Read the manual for your hearing aid carefully before completing any cleaning. Take note of recommended tools and procedures specific to your device. Some hearing aids come with cleaning kits for you to use. “Most hearing aids come with different styles of wax filters that can be changed periodically as needed. RIC styles will have domes or earbuds that will be changed periodically and also wax filters that need to be changed,” said Murray. “RICs can also be fit with custom molds, so those will be cleaned differently. It just depends on what each person has as far as hearing aids and how it’s fit to the ear.”
• Daily cleaning should include removing any wax or debris buildup. You should also wipe down the entire device using a microfiber or other soft cloth. Use an approved disinfectant spray if applicable. We recommend storing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier at night to help extend the life of the device.
• Weekly cleaning should be more thorough using the steps we outlined above.
• Only use liquid or spray cleaners approved for use with hearing aids. Do not use water or alcohol to clean your device. Use of unapproved liquids or sprays may damage the sensitive electronics of your hearing aid.
• Professional cleanings are recommended about every six months. Schedule an appointment with your hearing aid provider to clean and inspect the device. Do this more frequently if you’re having any issues with your hearing aids due to wax buildup or other problems. Prices vary, but professional cleanings usually cost $30–$60.
• Keep your ears clean. Removing excess wax buildup or other debris from your ears can prevent these contaminants from entering your hearing aid. ^[3]Pacific Hearing Inc. Controlled Earwax Helps Your Ears And Your Hearing Aids. Dec. 15, 2022. Found on the internet at https://pacifichearinginc.com/patient-resources/hearing-aids/controlled-earwax-helps-your-ears-and-your-hearing-aids While we don’t recommend using a foreign object, like a Q-tip (which can push wax further in and damage your ear), you can find do-it-yourself wax removal kits at the store. You can also soak a cotton ball with water, saline, or hydrogen peroxide and drip a few drops into your ear, allowing the drops to sit in there for a couple of minutes. Once you tilt your head the other way, the wax and fluid should drain. You can also use a bulb syringe to rinse wax out. ^[4]Harvard Health Publishing. Got an Ear Full? Here’s Some Advice for Ear Wax Removal. Nov. 16, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full-heres-some-advice-for-ear-wax-removal

Bottom line

Keeping your hearing aids clean is the key to continued proper functioning and a long life for your hearing devices. Earwax and debris buildup can interfere with sound transmission and increase ear canal irritation.

Ear infections may also result from the irritation and buildup of wax and debris related to hearing aid use. It’s important to perform basic daily cleaning and weekly thorough cleaning.

You should take your hearing aids to a professional every six months or so for cleaning and inspection, more often if you’re having trouble. Many tools are available to help you keep your hearing aids clean. Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning tools and procedures.

Manufacturers and clinics will also typically have instructional videos online that can be incredibly helpful. Some devices come with a cleaning tool kit, but if not, you can find kits at many retailers. Using the proper cleaning techniques for your device will help you enjoy the benefits of hearing aid use for years to come.

Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

1. Orji F, et al. The Clinical Implications of Ear Canal Debris in Hearing Aid Users. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. May through June 2014. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048490
2. Pinnacle ENT Associates LLC. When Should You Get Your Hearing Aids Professionally Cleaned? April 15, 2020. Found on the internet at https://pentadocs.com/when-should-you-get-your-hearing-aids-professionally-cleaned
3. Pacific Hearing Inc. Controlled Earwax Helps Your Ears And Your Hearing Aids. Dec. 15, 2022. Found on the internet at https://pacifichearinginc.com/patient-resources/hearing-aids/controlled-earwax-helps-your-ears-and-your-hearing-aids
4. Harvard Health Publishing. Got an Ear Full? Here’s Some Advice for Ear Wax Removal. Nov. 16, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full-heres-some-advice-for-ear-wax-removal