Every hearing aid collects some wax, oil, and moisture during the day, and the buildup tends to settle right where sound needs to pass through. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents the frustration of wax and moisture interfering with sound.
At Eastside Audiology & Hearing Services, our team of audiologists and hearing instrument specialists sees patients at clinics in Issaquah, Mill Creek, Renton, and Woodinville. We can demonstrate how to care for your specific devices and explain when they need professional cleaning or maintenance.
How Often Should You Clean Hearing Aids Between Clinic Visits?
You should clean hearing aids with a gentle wipe every day and inspect them more closely about once a week, following your model’s instructions. 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.
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.
Does Hearing Aid Care Change for Behind-the-Ear and In-the-Ear Styles?
Hearing aid care does change for behind-the-ear and in-the-ear styles, because the speaker, tubing, and openings sit in different places on each. 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.
What Does a Quick Daily Hearing Aid Cleaning Look Like?
A quick daily hearing aid cleaning means turning each device off, wiping and inspecting it, brushing debris from the microphone openings, and then drying, storing, or charging it. Wash and dry your hands first, then set out a clean towel on a stable surface. Clean one hearing aid at a time so you can keep track of its parts. Work through these steps:
- 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.
When Should You Change a Wax Filter or Replace a Dome?
Change a wax filter or replace a dome when your weekly inspection turns up a blocked filter, wax that won’t brush away, or a dome that looks worn. Weekly care gives you a chance to inspect areas that need more attention than a quick wipe, including stiff, cracked, or discolored tubing. Damaged parts may need replacement rather than additional cleaning.
Use the exact filter type specified for your device, and don’t assume every filter needs weekly replacement. Use a vent cleaner or wax loop only in the locations our audiologists and hearing instrument specialists have 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.
What Should Puget Sound Patients Never Do When Cleaning Hearing Aids?
Puget Sound patients should never immerse the electronics in water, use unapproved chemicals, push tools into openings, or dry devices with heat when cleaning hearing aids. 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 at Eastside Audiology & Hearing Services
A personalized demonstration can make hearing aid care easier to manage. During an appointment, our hearing care team can review your devices, hearing concerns, health history, and goals for comfortable daily use.
Call or text the clinic closest to you: Issaquah at 425-528-8597, Mill Creek at 425-399-5369, Renton at 425-569-4754, or Woodinville at 425-287-5336. You can also request an appointment online.