Guide

How to Clean Hearing Aids – All Brands (Phonak, Resound, Oticon, etc.) And All Types (BTE, ITE, etc.)

Most often people do not clean hearing aids on their own. They get help from their audiologist. But this is not necessary in most cases as it is possible to clean the hearing aids and care for them at home and keep them in good working condition.

The tiny size of hearing aids makes it difficult for them to operate in the ear canal, which has moisture and earwax. It is necessary to keep the hearing aids clean of the ear wax and moisture as it will help in reliable performance and avoid costly repairs. Furthermore, as hearing aids are pretty expensive it helps to learn the cleaning and care process.

Want to know which hearing aid cleaning tools are the best to keep your hearing aids clean and well working?

See a list of hearing aid cleaning tools

Hearing aid care tips

Once you start using your hearing aids you should ensure the cleaning and care of your hearing aid is done as part of the daily routine you maintain. Without proper cleaning you can hear muffled or whistling sound, which can cause damage to the receiver. Here are a few tips:

Use proper hearing aid cleaning tools

A brush and wax pick are essential tools for cleaning the hearing aid at home. Ear wax often accumulates on the hearing aid opening present in the end that rests in the ear canal. To keep the hearing aid clean use a brush and pick to clean the wax from the hearing aid.

Practice good hygiene

Remove your hearing aids while you do your cleanliness routine such as when you wash and shower your hair and face. This will prevent the soap or water from causing damage to the hearing aids. Replace the hearing aids after you have applied gels, sprays or other hair products.

Cleaning time

Makes sure you clean the hearing aid prior to bedtime. This will give sufficient time for the hearing aids to dry before you use them again.

What to avoid while cleaning

Do not use alcohol or other chemical wipes for cleaning hearing devices as these can damage the hearing device.

When the surrounding temperature is too cold or hot avoid exposing the hearing aids to the extreme temperature. For instance, if you are shoveling snow from the driveway, leave the hearing aids safely inside your house rather than placing them inside your pocket.

Similarly, when you want to use the swimming pool on a hot summer day, keep the hearing aids inside rather than placing them poolside exposing them to the hot temperature.

Battery care

For hearing aids of all types, you should remove the batteries at night and let the battery compartment dry overnight, by keeping it open. Use a cleaning brush to clean the compartment.

Cleaning tips for in the ear (ITE) hearing aids

The device openings including microphone ports should be cleaned with extra care using a brush given for the purpose or a toothbrush with soft bristles. This helps to clear the wax buildup.

While cleaning, grip the device in such a way that the opening to be cleaned is facing downward. This will help all loose particles fall down instead of being packed inside.

Use a hook or wax pick to clear the holes of clogged material that did not come with brush.

Finally wipe the device using a tissue or dry cloth. This will clean the debris attached to device case.

Cleaning tips for BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids

First inspect the hearing aid for presence of debris. Remove the debris using a dry and clean cloth or soft brush.
Detach the ear mold from the attaching hook and clean it.
For ear molds made of soft material, which tends to stain and discolor over time, clean the material daily and soak it in soapy and warm water once in a week.
After cleaning let the molds dry fully preferably overnight.
Avoid using chemicals or alcohol on the hearing aid as it can damage the material.
It is common for ear molds to develop some odor after using for some time. If the odor is very intense, it indicates presence of infection. In such a case, you should consult the hearing care professional.
To flush water out from the tubing use bulb blower and let the tubing dry overnight.

Hearing aid cleaning tools

Cleaning tools for hearing aids can be bought online and also at drug stores. Before you purchase a cleaning tool for your hearing aid, find out the tools that work best for the specific hearing aid type you are using. Here are some common tools that aid in cleaning hearing aids and keep them in good condition:

Get the complete cleaning set

Cleaning brush

This is useful for cleaning all hearing aid types. The soft bristles help clean the faceplate, sound port and body of a hearing aid. There are brushes available with magnetic tool for removing batteries. This makes it easy to remove the tiny batteries which some people may find difficult to remove due to dexterity issues.

Wax picks

This tool is designed to remove the wax and other stubborn debris present inside the openings of hearing aid.

Wire loop

This tool is used similar to the wax pick. It helps to reach inside the tiny openings and clean debris thoroughly.

Multi-tool

This is a three in one tool that has a brush, wax loop and magnet for versatile cleaning.

Dehumidifiers

These are ideal for humid climates or when you spend more time outdoors or tend to perspire heavily. Dehumidifiers are of two types. One type has a plastic jar with desiccant that absorbs moisture when the hearing aid is left in it overnight. For a full list of our recommended dehumidifers, see our hearing aid dehumidifers list. The second type is a dry and store device using ultraviolet light and air for sanitizing and drying.These are electric hearing aid dryers that use special heating elements that heat up a fan or air. The Audionexx Hearing aid dryer is one such device. It is a uniquely designed dryer that has 3 different drying settings namely 3h, 6h and 9h. Other features include perforated bottom for better airflow and absorption of moisture from the device. Ultraviolet disinfection is integrated and can be turned off or on. In addition to routine cleaning at home, make sure the hearing aids are cleaned professionally. This involves using special vacuum attachments that remove wax from difficult to clean areas such as receivers, windscreens, microphone screens and vents. When you use proper cleaning methods and maintenance, your hearing aids can last for many years without any hassle.

The Audionexx Hearing Aid Dryer comes with 3 different drying sequences for every situation and level of moisture: 3h, 6h, 9h.

Also it comes with an integrated battery tester and a 15 minute UV light drying sequence, that kills off bacteria, that can be switched on or off.

The perforated bottom increases airflow which pulls more moisture from the hearing aid.

Buy Audionexx Dryer Now

Hearplace

The Hearplace.com Blog offers educational content regarding hearing health. If you have questions send us an email to contact@hearplace.com

Sign up for our Newsletter

Stay up to date with news from the hearing industry, product launches & new innovations as well as promotions.