Cleaning Hearing Aids - 4 Easy How-To Steps, Including Specific Types

You take your car in for oil changes, right? Hearing aids are like many other investments you make; they need routine cleaning and care. Your hearing aids go through the wringer – sweat, earwax, and other body oils – so regular care will prolong the life and quality of your hearing aids. Before I go into the 4 steps on cleaning hearing aids, I’ll tell you what hearing aid cleaning tools you’ll need and some tips on what not to do. 

Hearing Aid Cleaning Tools Needed:

• Hearing aid cleaning brush
• Wax pick (wire loop)
• Vent cleaner
• Dry soft cloth (like eyeglasses cloths)
• Bulb blower (optional)

There are many stores or online options you can buy hearing aid cleaning kits from that contain most of these tools listed above. Likewise, some multi-tools can be purchased as well. There are other items you can use for hearing aid cleaning as well:

• A soft-bristle toothbrush in place of the hearing aid cleaning brush
• Hearing aid cleaning wipes instead of a soft cloth

It is essential to make sure the disinfectant wipes are for hearing aid cleaning use only.

Your hearing aids are very valuable, so you must be delicate with them, especially around the microphone and receiver. 

Tips on What Not to do When Cleaning Hearing Aids

• Do not get water on your hearing aids; obviously, this will cause your hearing aids not to work.
• Do not insert the wire loop or any other objects into the microphone or receiver; this can cause wax and dirt to be pushed in them and damage the hearing aid.
• Do not use alcohol or other chemical solutions; only use cleaning solutions specified for hearing aid usage.

Now you have all your hearing aid cleaning supplies, so let’s get into how to clean hearing aids at home.

4 Steps on Cleaning Hearing Aids

In-the-ear (ITE)/Custom, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids all will follow these 4 steps. Here you can see two very simplistic videos on cleaning.

1. While holding your hearing aid upside down, use the brush to gently clean microphone ports, covering, vent openings, and receiver of any wax or dirt.
2. To remove wax and other debris from air vent, use a wax pick.
   • For larger vents, use vent cleaner to run through opening in each direction carefully.
3. Click on one of the below options for specific cleaning instructions:
   • ITE
   • RIC
   • BTE
4. Finally, wipe down the entire hearing aid with a soft, dry cloth.

Cleaning ITE Hearing Aids

- Use hearing aid brush to wipe away debris from the wax filter. If it doesn’t come clean, you can switch out the filter.
There is a stick with a new wax filter on one side, use the other side to remove the filter. Once removed, place new one in and tap it with finger to ensure it stays. Then continue to step 4.

Cleaning RIC Hearing Aids

-Use your thumbs to gently workout debris from the dome piece. You can change out the dome as well if it doesn’t come clean. Make sure to press on dome when switch firmly.
Likewise, there is a wax filter under the dome, so follow the same instructions for ITE.

Cleaning BTE Hearing Aids

-Earmold can be removed and washed with warm soapy water. Dry completely before attaching back to hearing aid.
Use a bulb blower to assist.

Though cleaning hearing aids is vital to do - it is also important to know how to clean your ears properly.
Click here to learn how to clean your ears.

Cleaning Hearing Aids - When to See the Professionals

A good rule of thumb is to schedule an appointment every 6 months to a year for a check-up and thorough cleaning of hearing aids. If you have any questions about cleaning hearing aids, contact Prescription Hearing. Now you know the best way to clean hearing aids in 4 easy steps; remember no using water or alcohol on your hearing aids while cleaning.

If you're a new hearing aid owner, don't worry, find out extra tips here.

Location
Prescription Hearing
12910 S. LaGrange Rd.
Palos Park, Illinois 60464
(708) 448-1234