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According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), around one-third of people between the ages of 65 and 74 experience hearing loss.1 If you’re wearing a hearing aid, you’re certainly not alone! Learning the proper way to clean hearing aids safely is essential. It’s not only an investment in your hearing health but extends the life of your hearing aid. Learn how often you should clean hearing aids, the tools needed, and what you should never use when taking care of your devices.
Our editor's grandma wearing her freshly cleaned BTE devices. You can barely see them!
Some hearing aids are easier to clean than others. That said, the vast majority of high-quality hearing aids are designed to be low maintenance for seniors. This means you can take them out for a quick cleaning without special instructions or equipment. If you’re currently on the lookout for a pair of hearing aids or you’re thinking about replacing your current hearing aids, be sure to check out the top-rated providers that we have reviewed.
No two hearing aid brands or products are alike. Carefully read through your manual to learn any important cleaning tips that are specific to your device. Depending on the package and accessories you purchase, your hearing aids may come with a toolkit to help with cleaning your hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Cleaning Kit from Beltone
Having the right tools in your hearing aid maintenance kit is key. Make sure to clean your hearing aids on a flat surface to avoid dropping and damaging them.
Wax removal brush: Hearing aids can block earwax from naturally exiting the ear. This causes earwax buildup, a common problem for people with hearing aids. You can easily remove debris with a wax removal brush to avoid buildup. This soft-bristled brush gently clears away wax, dirt, or skin particles from your hearing aid surface. Don’t apply too much pressure when using the wax brush, as it will push the earwax buildup further into your hearing aid.
Did You Know: The accumulation of wax on your hearing aids can disrupt the sound by creating whistling or squeaking feedback.2
Dry cloth: While it may be tempting to use a damp cloth to clean hearing aids, any wetness can cause damage. Use a dry cloth to wipe down the hearing aid’s exterior. It’s important to use a non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratches.
Pro Tip: Microfiber cloths, like the ones used for cleaning glasses, are an excellent choice for cleaning your hearing aids.
Wax pick: A wax pick or loop removes wax from small openings on your hearing aid. Avoid inserting the pick into the microphone portion.
Tube cleaner: Wax and other debris can become trapped in the tube portion of your hearing aid. Tube cleaners are long, thin brushes that allow you to clean this hard-to-reach area carefully.
Bulb blower: Moisture can accumulate in the tubing of your hearing aid. A bulb blower forces air into the hearing aid tube to clear it out.
Just like a car, your hearing aids need regular maintenance. Properly caring for your hearing aids ensures they remain in tip-top condition.
Set yourself up for success with the right tools and maintenance schedule in order to clean your hearing aids properly. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you begin cleaning.
If you have a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid that hooks over the top of your ear and rests behind the ear (such as a device from MDHearingAid), it’s essential to pay close attention to cleaning both the external and internal parts of your hearing aid.
The electronics that keep your in-the-ear hearing aid (such as an ITE device from Eargo or Beltone) working properly are all located in the earpiece (also known as the shell).3 ITE hearing aids are prone to wax, dirt, and other buildup, as they fully reside inside your ear.
If you’ve compared some of the best hearing aids on the market, you know they can be a costly expense. Prolong the life of your hearing aids by avoiding these actions that can damage or break your device. When cleaning your hearing aids, never:
Despite regular cleaning as described above, sometimes your hearing aids stop working or become weak or distorted. Before initiating a repair that leaves you without your hearing aids for up to two weeks, take a moment and check the “three Ps” below:
Make sure all input and output sound paths are clear.
As noted above, microphones should be brushed daily. The hearing aid brush included in your delivery kit is tiny, so if you have a hard time using it, it’s fine to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, but be sure to leave the toothpaste in the medicine cabinet!
Amplified sound needs unimpeded access to your eardrum for you to hear. If the tube (BTE) or wax guard (RIC or ITE) is clogged, that sound will be reduced or stopped completely. About 90 percent of “dead” hearing aids in my clinic just need a new wax guard or to have the tube cleared of debris.
If the plumbing is clear and the hearing aid still doesn’t work, check the power.
If one hearing aid works and the other doesn’t swap the batteries. If the issue is the power (battery), then the “dead” hearing aid should work, and the other should stop. If this doesn’t get the dead device working again, it’s not the battery.
When you put hearing aids in a charger, a few things should happen; the power indicator on the charger and the progress indicators for each hearing aid should light up. If you see a steady amber or green light on one aid and a flashing red one on the other, this is usually an indication that something is wrong with either that hearing aid or that charging port.
If you determine the issue is the hearing aid, try cleaning any visible brass dots on the hearing aid (charging contacts). If there are no external contacts (some hearing aids use inductive charging and have no physical contacts), then you’ll need to send it to the manufacturer.
If the issue turns out to be the charger, and you see physical contacts in the charging wells, you can put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and rub the contacts vigorously.
If your hearing aid passes both the plumbing and power tests, you’ll need to send them to the manufacturer for service. If you bought them online from a company like Jabra Enhance or Eargo, contact them for advice on sending them in. Be sure to detail the troubleshooting you’ve already done. If you bought them from a local provider, email or call them and arrange to either drop them off or mail them in.
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National Institute on Aging. (2021). Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults
AARP. (2020). The Ins and Outs of Safe Earwax Removal.
Phonak. (2021). Cleaning and care.