How to clean hearing aids.

Why cleaning matters more than most people think

Modern hearing aids are densely engineered electronics that spend most of their lives in one of the warmest, most humid, most wax-rich environments in your daily life: the ear canal. Sweat, sebum, cerumen (earwax), and lotions accumulate on every part of the device. Without consistent cleaning, three failure modes dominate:

• Wax-guard clogging — produces "the hearing aid sounds quieter than yesterday" and "people sound muffled." Most common single complaint, almost always reversible by replacing the wax guard.
• Microphone-port blockage — produces inconsistent or distorted sound. Less common, addressed by gentle brushing of the small mic openings on the device shell.
• Moisture damage — long-term, the largest cause of premature device failure. Addressed by overnight drying, especially in humid climates.

What you need

• A soft microfiber cloth. The cloth that ships with your hearing aids is ideal; any clean dry microfiber works.
• A hearing aid cleaning brush with a wax loop. Usually included with new devices; replacements cost a few dollars.
• Replacement wax guards for your specific device model. These are tiny filters; the manufacturer or your audiologist tells you which to buy. They cost about $10 for a multi-month supply.
• Replacement domes / ear tips in your fitted size. A few sizes should have shipped with your device.
• Optional but recommended in humid climates: an electronic hearing aid dehumidifier (~$50–$120) or a desiccant drying jar (~$15). Heat-pump-type or fan-based dehumidifiers work well overnight.

The daily routine (5 minutes)

1. Wash and dry your hands. Hand lotions, oils, and grime transfer onto hearing aids the moment you touch them. Clean, dry hands are the first step.
2. Wipe the body of each device with a dry microfiber cloth. Wipe the shell, the receiver tube (the wire to the dome on RIC styles), and any visible part. Never use water, alcohol, baby wipes, household cleaners, or solvents. They damage seals, coatings, and microphones.
3. Brush the microphone ports and the receiver opening. The small holes on the body of the device are microphone inlets. The hole at the dome end is the receiver opening. Brush downward (so debris falls away from the device) with the small brush that came with your hearing aids.
4. Inspect the wax guard. Hold the receiver end up to a light. If the filter looks discoloured or clogged, replace it — most wax-guard kits include a two-ended replacement tool that pulls the old one out and inserts a new one. Wax guards are designed to be replaced; replacing them is normal maintenance, not a sign of damage.
5. Inspect the dome or ear tip. Domes should be supple, intact, and free of visible wax. Hardened or torn domes affect both sound quality and fit. Replace promptly if either is the case.
6. Charge or dry overnight. For rechargeable models, return the hearing aids to their charging case. For disposable-battery models, open the battery door to allow moisture to escape; remove the battery if you'll be without the device for several days.

The weekly routine (10 minutes)

• Deeper inspection. Look for cracks in the tubing or wire of a RIC/BTE device. If you see any, schedule a clinic visit; tubing and receivers are replaceable inexpensively but should be done by someone who knows the model.
• Charging contacts. On rechargeable hearing aids, the small metal contacts on the device and case should be clean and dry. Wipe with a microfiber cloth if dusty. Never use a metal pick on contacts.
• Battery door (disposable-battery models). Make sure the door opens fully and closes flush. Replace the device if the door is damaged.
• Store accessories properly. Brush, replacement wax guards, and spare domes in a dry, dust-free container.

Monthly and as-needed

• Wax guards: typically every 2–4 weeks, or whenever your hearing aid sounds quieter than usual. Some wearers go longer; some need them weekly. Earwax production varies a lot.
• Domes / ear tips: every 1–3 months. Hardened domes lose their seal and degrade sound quality.
• Receiver replacement (for RIC devices): usually every 1–3 years, done in a clinic, often covered by warranty.
• Professional clinic clean. Once or twice a year, an audiologist or hearing-aid specialist can do a deeper clean, change tubing, and check device performance. Often free or included with a prescription fitting.

What not to do

• Don't use water, alcohol, or household cleaners. They damage the device.
• Don't use baby wipes on the body of a hearing aid. They contain moisture and chemicals.
• Don't use ultrasonic cleaners on hearing aids. The vibration can damage internal components.
• Don't use a metal pick to clean wax out of the receiver. Use the brush and the wax guard replacement tool only.
• Don't put hearing aids in a microwave or oven to dry them. Heat damages electronics. The "rice trick" used for phones is not recommended for hearing aids either — rice dust can enter the openings and make things worse.
• Don't wear hearing aids in the shower, sauna, or swimming pool. Most are sweat- and rain-resistant (look for an IP rating like IP67 or IP68) but are not designed for submersion or sustained steam.
• Don't apply hair spray, sunscreen, or perfume while wearing hearing aids. Apply, wait, and then insert the devices.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Suddenly quieter. Almost always a clogged wax guard. Replace and test.
• Whistling (feedback). Often a poor seal — check that the dome is the right size and sits correctly. Persistent feedback at normal volume may need an audiology adjustment.
• Crackling or intermittent sound. Inspect the receiver wire (for RIC), the battery contacts, and the charging contacts. If unresolved, the receiver may need replacement.
• Hearing aid sounds different in one ear. Check for wax-guard difference between left and right; the worse-sounding ear often just needs a fresh guard.
• Device won't turn on or charge. Check charging contacts for debris. For disposable-battery models, replace the battery and ensure correct polarity.

The bottom line

Hearing aid cleaning is short, cheap, and unglamorous — and it is the single largest factor in how long your devices will last and how consistently they will perform. A daily microfiber wipe and brush, a wax-guard replacement every few weeks, and overnight drying in a charging case or dry jar is enough for almost every wearer. The mistakes that cause real damage are usually attempts to clean more thoroughly with the wrong tools: water, alcohol, ultrasonic cleaners, or metal picks. When in doubt, the right tool is the soft brush that came with your hearing aids.