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Hearing Loss
June 11, 2024
7min

How To Clean Your Hearing Aids: Maintenance 101 and Care Tips

The best way to extend the lifespan of your hearing aids is to build the habit of cleaning and caring for them. Click here to read how!

Author:
Nicole Brener
How To Clean Your Hearing Aids: Maintenance 101 and Care Tips
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Hearing aids are an investment; if you learn how to clean and maintain them properly, they will last longer and work better.

Many people wear hearing aids almost daily, requiring them to function 10-16 hours daily for several years. Because they live in an exposed environment inside and behind the ear, hearing aids can accumulate dirt, earwax buildup, and oils.

The best way to extend the lifespan of your hearing aids and ensure their proper functioning is to build the habit of cleaning and caring for them, including best sanitization practices, storage, and replacement.

Signs You Need To Clean Your Hearing Aid

Regular cleaning of your hearing aids is essential not only for hygiene and infection prevention but also for maintaining the optimal performance of your device. Here are some signs that indicate it's time to clean your hearing aids:

  • Muffled sound
  • Persistent whistling or feedback
  • Lower volume
  • Inconsistent performance
  • Faster battery drain
  • Visible earwax or debris, especially in the earmolds or tubing

Some essential parts of your hearing aids don’t last forever (even if you clean them regularly!). With time, your hearing aid domes, tips, tubing, or receiver will lose shape or discolor, decreasing sound quality reaching your ears. For this reason, it’s important to replace them accordingly.

How To Clean a Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid

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What You'll Need

  • Hearing aid brush / soft bristle brush
  • Soft cloth
  • Vent cleaner
  • Wax pick
  • Earmold air blower

Cleaning BTE Hearing Aids vs RIC and ITE Hearing Aids

Although the cleaning process is very similar for all types of hearing aids, there are a few variations due to their construction. 

The cleaning tool for Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids typically features a brush on one end and a long wire on the other. The brush is used to clean the exterior of the hearing aid, while the long wire is designed to clean the flexible tubing, ensuring it is free from any blockages or debris.

In contrast, the cleaning tool for Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) and In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids has a brush on one end and a short wire loop on the other. The brush cleans the outside of the hearing aid, while the short wire loop is designed to remove earwax buildup in the smaller, more intricate sections of the hearing aid.

How To Clean Your Hearing Aids: Step by Step

Keep your BTE hearing aid in excellent condition by following these steps and using the appropriate tools.

Step 1: Remove the battery

Remove the battery or turn the device off if it's rechargeable.

Step 2: Brush the surface of the device

For BTE hearing aids, remove the tubing and use a hearing aid brush to gently brush away any debris from the surface. RIC hearing aids include a fixed wire system that you should not try to remove. 

Make sure to brush to clean the microphone ports on the hearing aid, where sound enters. This is crucial, as clogged microphone ports can cause the hearing aid to malfunction, such as feedback or whistling noises.

Step 3: Clean the tube

Use a wax pick or wire loop to remove any debris or wax buildup. Thread the cleaning wire tool through the tubing until it comes out at the tip of the other end. Wipe away any dirt or wax with a clean cloth. Regular maintenance includes periodically changing the tubing to ensure optimal performance.

Step 4: Wipe down the hearing aid tip

Separate the earmold and gently wipe it clean. If necessary, wash the earmold with warm, soapy water. Ensure the earmold and tubing are completely dry before reattaching to avoid moisture damage. An earmold air blower can help remove any remaining moisture.

Never use alcohol or water to clean your hearing aids since it can permanently damage your device, and remember to replace them every three to six months. 

Step 5: Change the wax traps

Change the wax traps on the tips of the receiver to prevent wax from getting into the receiver and causing permanent damage. Note that wax traps are not cleaned but replaced.

Step 6: Reassemble your hearing aid

Reattach the tubing (BTW only) and insert the battery to enjoy the clean, crisp sound of a newly cleaned hearing aid!

Step 7: Store properly

Properly store your hearing aids when not in use. Before storage, turn off the device to conserve battery life and keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity (bathroom or kitchen are no-nos). If possible, keep them inside the hearing aid case for additional protection.

If you live in high-humidity areas using a dehumidifier overnight helps remove moisture that could cause damage. The small and convenient case keeps the hearing aid dry, improving sound quality, preventing costly repairs and extending the lifespan of the device. 

How Often Should I Clean My Hearing Aids?

If you’re really serious about hygiene and keeping your hearing aids in good condition, the best thing you can do is clean them everyday. Making this a habit, like brushing your teeth, is your best bet!

Remember, hearing aids are exposed to dirt, sweat, bacteria, earwax and other environmental debris daily, and just a small amount can damage or block your hearing aid. 

Key Takeaway

If you follow a consistent cleaning routine, you will increase the lifespan of your hearing aids and guarantee their performance. With practice, these cleaning steps will become second nature, and you’ll reap the benefits of clean hearing aids.

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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

How To Clean Your Hearing Aids: Maintenance 101 and Care Tips

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.