How often should I clean my hearing aids?
You should wipe and brush your hearing aids every day, give them a closer clean once a week, and have them professionally cleaned and checked at the clinic every three to six months. Earwax, sweat and dust are the main reasons hearing aids sound weak or stop working, and almost all of it can be prevented with two minutes of care each night.
At Fairfield Hearing Clinics, professional cleaning and check-ups are free for the first two years after you buy your hearing aids from us.
What do I need to clean my hearing aids?
You need only a few simple things to clean hearing aids, and most of them come in the box with your hearing aids:
- A soft, dry cloth or tissue — for wiping the surface
- The small cleaning brush with a wire loop — the brush clears the microphone openings, the loop lifts out wax
- Spare wax guards (wax filters) — tiny filters that stop wax getting into the speaker
- A drying jar or electronic dryer — very useful in Delhi’s humid months
- For behind-the-ear hearing aids with an earmould: an air puffer for the tube
Never use water on the hearing aid itself, alcohol, oil, cotton buds pushed into openings, or a hair dryer. Moisture and heat damage the electronics.
How do I clean my hearing aids every day?
To clean your hearing aids every day, do this at night before you charge them or put them away:
- Wipe the whole hearing aid and the dome or earpiece with a dry, soft cloth.
- Brush the microphone openings gently, holding the hearing aid with the openings facing down so dirt falls out rather than in.
- Look at the wax guard at the tip. If it looks blocked, change it (see below).
- Charge rechargeable hearing aids in a clean, dry charger. For battery hearing aids, open the battery door overnight so moisture can escape and the battery lasts longer.
- Store them in the drying jar or case — never loose on a table, where children and pets can reach them.
Wash your hands before handling hearing aids, especially after applying cream or hair oil.
How do I clean a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid?
A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid is cleaned by wiping the dome, checking the wax guard and brushing the body. The dome is the soft rubber tip that sits in your ear canal.
- Domes: wipe them daily. Replace them when they look yellow, stiff or split — usually every two to three months. A worn dome can cause whistling.
- Wax guards: change the wax guard whenever sound becomes weak or muffled. Push the tool into the old guard, pull it out, turn the tool round and press in the new one. For many people this is every few weeks.
- The thin wire: wipe it with the cloth. Do not pull or bend it sharply.
How do I clean a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid with an earmould?
A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid with an earmould is cleaned by washing only the earmould, never the hearing aid itself.
- Gently pull the soft tube off the hook of the hearing aid, so the earmould and tube come away together.
- Wash the earmould and tube in lukewarm water with a little mild soap.
- Blow water out of the tube with the air puffer and let the earmould dry fully — ideally overnight — before you reconnect it. A drop of water in the tube blocks the sound.
- Wipe and brush the hearing aid itself.
The tube hardens and turns yellow with time. Ask us to change it every three to six months, or sooner if it cracks.
How do I clean a custom in-the-ear (ITC or CIC) hearing aid?
A custom in-the-ear (ITC or CIC) hearing aid is cleaned by brushing the faceplate, changing the wax guard and clearing the small air vent. Brush the microphone openings on the outer surface with the openings facing down, change the wax guard at the tip when it is blocked, and push the vent cleaner through the vent (the tiny hole that runs through the hearing aid) if there is one.
How do I protect my hearing aids in the monsoon and summer?
You protect hearing aids in the monsoon and summer by keeping them dry: sweat and humidity are the biggest risk in India.
- Dry them every night in a drying jar or an electronic dryer.
- Wipe away sweat during the day, especially after a walk.
- Keep them out of the bathroom and away from the kitchen stove.
- Do not leave them in a hot car or in direct sun.
- In heavy rain, carry the case and put the hearing aids away before you get wet.
- Rechargeable hearing aids: keep the charger in a dry, cool place; a damp charger can stop charging.
What should I do if my hearing aid gets wet?
If your hearing aid gets wet, switch it off straight away, remove the battery (if it has one), wipe it dry and leave it in a drying jar for 24 hours. Do not use a hair dryer, microwave or oven. If it still does not work, bring it to the clinic — the sooner, the better.
When should I bring my hearing aids to the clinic?
You should bring your hearing aids to the clinic if, after cleaning and changing the wax guard, they still sound weak, crackly or distorted, whistle often, do not charge, or are visibly damaged. Even if everything seems fine, a professional clean and check every three to six months keeps them working longer.
At a clinic check, we clean the parts you cannot reach, test the microphones and receiver, replace tubes and domes, and fine-tune the settings if your hearing has changed. Visit us at New Friends Colony or Hari Nagar — check-ups are free for two years after purchase.
How long do hearing aids last with good care?
Hearing aids usually last about five to seven years with daily cleaning and regular check-ups. Without care, wax and moisture can shorten that a lot.
