How to Clean and Care for Your Hearing Aids: An Audiologist's Guide

Written by the audiology team at The Hearing World, providing hearing care and home visits across England.

One of the first things we tell patients after a hearing aid fitting is that how you look after your devices matters just as much as which model you choose. Hearing aids are an investment, not only financially but in your quality of life. With the right cleaning and care routine, modern hearing aids typically last 5 to 7 years and keep performing at their best throughout that time.

This guide covers exactly how to clean hearing aids, how to store them, what daily and weekly maintenance to do, and when to book a professional service.

A quick story: when "broken" really means "blocked"

Mark, a 67-year-old retired chef, came in recently saying one of his hearing aids had started cutting out. He was convinced it was faulty. When we checked it, the device was simply clogged with earwax and moisture. A quick clean and a new wax guard, and it was working perfectly within minutes. Mark laughed and said, "if only everything in life was that easy to fix."

Most hearing aid problems we see in clinic are avoidable. Five minutes of care a day prevents the majority of repairs.

Daily hearing aid care: a 5-minute routine

1. Wipe them down every night

Before bed, use a soft, dry cloth or tissue to gently clean each hearing aid. This removes earwax, skin oil and moisture from the surface. Do not use water, alcohol wipes or household cleaners; these damage the casing and internal components.

2. Open the battery door (if your aids take disposables)

If your hearing aids use disposable zinc-air batteries, open the battery door overnight. This lets moisture escape from inside the device and extends battery life.

3. Keep them dry

Moisture is the biggest enemy of hearing aid electronics. Take your hearing aids out before showering, bathing or using a sauna, and before applying hairspray or aftershave. In humid conditions, or if you sweat a lot, a hearing aid dehumidifier overnight makes a noticeable difference to longevity.

4. Clean the microphone and receiver carefully

Use the small brush supplied with your aids to gently clear wax and debris from the microphone and receiver ports. Never poke anything sharp into the openings; the components inside are delicate and easily damaged.

5. Change the wax guards regularly

If your hearing aid has a wax guard (standard on RIC and most custom models), change it every two to four weeks, or sooner if sound starts to feel muffled. We show every patient how to do this at fitting, and we are happy to change them for you in clinic if you prefer.

Weekly and monthly hearing aid maintenance

Inspect tubing and domes

On RIC and BTE hearing aids, check the tubing and domes weekly. Cracks, stiffness or discolouration mean it is time to replace them. This is a quick, inexpensive job we can do in clinic.

Listen for sound changes

If your hearing aid suddenly sounds quieter or distorted, it is almost always wax, moisture or a worn wax guard, not a fault. Try changing the wax guard and drying the device overnight before booking a repair.

Clean the charger contacts (rechargeable models)

Once a week, use a dry cloth to wipe the metal contact points on both the hearing aids and the charging dock. Built-up residue on these contacts is the most common cause of "my rechargeable hearing aid won't charge."

How to store hearing aids safely

Always store hearing aids in a dry protective case when you are not wearing them. Keep them away from heat sources, never on a radiator, windowsill in direct sun, or in a hot car. Store them out of reach of pets and children; we have had several patients come in after a dog mistook a hearing aid for a chew toy.

When to book a hearing aid service

Even with great home care, your hearing aids benefit from a professional service every 6 to 12 months. We deep-clean the devices, check the fit, replace worn parts, and re-check the programming against your current hearing.

Book an appointment sooner if you notice:

• A sudden drop in sound quality that home cleaning does not fix

• Persistent feedback or whistling

• Visible damage to the shell, tubing or receiver

• A change in your own hearing

  
  

The Hearing World offers in-clinic appointments and home visits across England, so you do not need to travel if mobility is an issue.

Hearing aid care FAQs

How long do hearing aids last with proper care?

With consistent daily cleaning, regular wax-guard changes and a professional service every 6 to 12 months, most modern hearing aids last 5 to 7 years. Some patients get longer; the limiting factor is usually changes in hearing rather than device failure.

Can I clean my hearing aids with alcohol wipes?

No. Alcohol degrades the plastic casing and damages internal seals over time. Use a dry cloth, the brush provided, or specialist hearing aid wipes designed for the purpose.

What should I do if I lose a wax guard or dome?

Call the clinic or pop in. We keep wax guards, domes and tubing in stock for all the major manufacturers and can replace them on the spot.

Why does my hearing aid sound muffled or quiet?

Nine times out of ten the cause is a blocked wax guard or moisture in the receiver. Change the wax guard, leave the aid in a dehumidifier overnight, and test again before assuming a fault.

Can I wear my hearing aids in the rain?

Most modern hearing aids are sweat- and rain-resistant (typically IP67 or IP68 rated), but they are not waterproof. Light rain is fine; a downpour, swimming or showering will damage them.

Book a hearing aid clean or service

If your hearing aids need a deep clean, new wax guards, or a full service, book an appointment with The Hearing World. We see patients in clinic and via home visits across England, and most service appointments take less than 30 minutes.

Book a hearing aid service