How to Clean Your Hearing Aids
- May 15
- 2 min read
Hearing aids are remarkable pieces of technology, but they spend their days in one of the more challenging environments imaginable: a warm, waxy, occasionally damp ear canal. Without regular cleaning, even the best devices can sound muffled, develop faults, or stop working altogether. As audiologists, we see this constantly. Most hearing aid problems we troubleshoot in clinic come down to one thing: cleaning, or the lack of it.
The good news is that looking after your hearing aids at home is straightforward once you know what to do.
Daily Cleaning Habits
A quick daily clean makes a huge difference to how your hearing aids perform and how long they last. At the end of each day, wipe the devices down with a soft, dry cloth or a tissue. This removes oils, sweat, and any earwax that's accumulated during the day.
Pay particular attention to the parts that sit inside or against your ear. A soft brush, often supplied with your hearing aids, helps dislodge debris from microphone openings and around the receiver.
Never use water, alcohol, baby wipes, or household cleaning products. These can damage the electronics and degrade the materials.
Looking After the Earpieces
The earpiece or dome is the part most likely to get blocked with wax, and it's also the easiest to clean.
For domes, gently wipe them down and check for any wax sitting in the openings. If they look worn or discoloured, replace them. Most domes are designed to be swapped out every few months.
For custom earmoulds, you can detach them from the hearing aid (if your model allows) and wipe them with a slightly damp cloth. Make sure they're completely dry before reattaching.
Wax Filters and Guards
Most modern hearing aids have a small wax filter or guard that protects the receiver. These are inexpensive, easy to replace, and one of the most common reasons a hearing aid suddenly sounds quiet or stops working.
If your device sounds weaker than usual, try changing the wax filter before assuming something more serious is wrong. Your audiologist will have shown you how to do this, and replacement filters are widely available.
Storage and Moisture Control
Where and how you store your hearing aids overnight matters more than people realise. A few simple habits to build in:
Store the devices somewhere cool and dry, away from radiators and bathrooms
Use a drying container or electronic dehumidifier if you live somewhere humid, sweat heavily, or wear them during exercise
Keep them out of reach of pets and children
What to Avoid
A few things are worth flagging clearly. Never wear your hearing aids in the shower, while swimming, or in saunas. Remove them before applying hairspray, perfume, or sunscreen, as these can clog microphones and damage the casing. And resist the urge to poke at the openings with pins, paperclips, or anything sharp, as you can easily push wax further in or damage the components.
To book an appointment, please contact our clinic:
📞 +44 (0)1223 620965
📍Walk-in appointments available: Suite 2, 8 Station Rd, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LQ
