You’ve finally made the decision to purchase your first set of hearing aids. Congratulations! You’re starting to hear your friends and family again, asking people to repeat themselves less and less, and you’re starting to feel happier and more social. Everything is great until suddenly your new-found hearing is reduced: you’ve got a clogged hearing aid.

Keeping your hearing aids clean and sanitary will provide you with years of reliable hearing and protect your investment. How you clean them depends on what type of hearing aid they are, so we’ve listed quick walkthroughs for each of the main types. 

First, we will introduce you to the cleaning tools and supplies you will need.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning In-the-Ear Hearing Aids (ITE, ITC, CIC)

1. For In-the-Ear hearing aids, start by giving the entire hearing aid a gentle wipe with a microfibre cleaning cloth or tissue, to remove any ear wax or debris.
2. Taking the aid cleaner brush from your cleaning kit (these are available from your hearing care provider, or online from our store), gently brush the exterior of your aid, focusing on any openings or vents, in particular, the microphone/s.
3. Open your aid battery door and give it a thorough clean with the brush.
4. Locate the wax guard on your hearing aid. Using the removal end of your wax guard tool, press it into the used wax guard until it clicks into place and remove.
5. Replace with a new wax guard and press into hearing aid until secured in place.
6. Take a vent cleaner and gently poke it through any vents, to ensure that any debris or wax is cleared and air can pass through.
7. Your hearing aid is now clean. Use a dehumidifier overnight to remove moisture and keep your hearing aid in good working order.

Cleaning Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE)

1. When cleaning BTE hearing aids, start with the ear-mold by giving it a gentle wipe with a tissue or microfibre cleaning cloth.
2. Take your vent cleaner and push it through any vents on the hearing aid to clear any wax or debris.
3. Clear the tube between the ear-mold and the hearing aid body with the wire loop of your cleaning tool. If the wax is too deep in the tube for it to reach, do not try to remove it. Have your hearing care provider clean this for you. Your hearing aid tubes should also be soft and clear. If they’re yellowing or becoming firm, they will need to be replaced by your hearing care provider as this will distort incoming sounds.
4. Next, take your brush cleaner and brush the exterior body of the hearing aid, paying careful attention to vents and microphone openings.
5. Open the battery door of the aid and give it a thorough brush to prevent a build-up of debris and close the door after.

Cleaning Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids (RIC)

1. With Receiver-in-Canal hearing aids, the first step is to replace the wax guard for a new, clean one. To do this, press the tip of the guard tool into the current guard until it clicks into place and can be pulled from the aid. Turn the tool around and press the new wax guard cartridge into the aid until it clicks into place, give it a firm press to ensure it’s properly in place.
2. Give your hearing aid a gentle wipe with a microfibre cleaning cloth or tissue to remove any oils or dirt.
3. Use a hearing aid brush to go over the entire body of the hearing aid, focusing on any microphone openings, vents, and buttons, until they’re clear of debris.
4. Open the battery door and give it a gentle brush to remove any debris, to prevent build-up and ensure the battery can properly make contact.
5. Next, clean the hearing aid dome (the earbud attached to the tube) by giving it a gentle wipe down and then using the wire on your cleaning tool to push through holes to clear any debris. Hearing aid domes can also be replaced when necessary.
6. Your hearing aid is now clean. Use a dehumidifier overnight to remove moisture and keep your hearing aid in good working order.

Quick Care Tips

• If you’re receiving feedback, particularly when eating or talking, the problem is most likely wax build-up.
• Put your hearing aid on after using styling products or hairspray.
• Don’t use your hearing aids when swimming or bathing, and keep them away from water where possible.
• Avoid temperature extremes to keep your aids performing optimally.

Need cleaning accessories? We have you covered.

Browse our entire range of hearing aid cleaning accessories by visiting our online store.