How to Properly Clean Hearing Aids

It is imperative that hearing aid users clean their hearing aids daily in order to keep them in good working order.  Parts of the hearing aid can often get clogged with earwax, dry skin, hair spray, or other cosmetics.  We want your hearing aids to last a long time and keeping them clean will help make that happen!

Routine maintenance at home can prevent hearing aid problems; however, it is recommended to follow-up with your audiologist every 4 – 6 months for a routine hearing aid clean and check.  During these appointments we will examine your hearing aid(s) and replace all necessary parts to keep them in good working order.

Here are some tools and recommendations for proper hearing aid cleaning at home:

BRUSH: A brush similar to this is often included with your hearing aid purchase; however if you need one, please visit your audiologist to obtain one.  These brushes are great for cleaning any debris off the hearing aids.  The metal wax loop at the end of the brush is useful in picking debris, such as wax, out of smaller areas of the hearing aid. 

SPRAY:  There are some excellent sprays that are specifically for hearing aid cleaning.  It is important to not directly spray the hearing aids.  Spray into a cloth or tissue and then gently wipe the hearing aids.  The cloth should be damp, not soaking wet, when cleaning the hearing aids using this method.

WIPES:  These wipes are also specifically for hearing aids and can be purchased online or sometimes through your audiologist.  Other wipes can contain harmful chemicals and fragrances that can harm the hearing aids, so be sure to use ones that are specifically for hearing aids or ask your audiologist for recommendations. 

Other tips for daily care and maintenance:

• Remove your hearing aids when applying cosmetics, perfume, aftershave, hair spray, and suntan lotion as they may get into the hearing aid cause damage.
• Clean your hearing aids using a soft cloth, tissue, or proper cleaning tools to remove earwax, grease, or moisture. Do not use water or solvents as these can damage hearing aids.
• Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use and leave the battery pack open (if applicable) to preserve battery power.

Please note that certain hearing aids may require other cleaning methods.

If you tend to produce more earwax, you may need to follow-up with your audiologist more frequently for maintenance.  If needed, they may show you how to replace some hearing aid parts yourself at home.  Please follow-up with your audiologist for any questions or concerns regarding the cleaning of your hearing aids. 

Sources:  https://www.resound.com/en-us/help/maintenance-troubleshooting