Every hearing aid wearer deals with wax and moisture sooner or later, and a little buildup can make your devices sound weak or muffled. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents that frustration.
John Dull, BC-HIS, and Travis Thomley, BC-HIS, both board certified in hearing instrument sciences, can demonstrate how to care for your specific devices at Hearing Care Associates Inc. in Janesville, Portage, and Freeport. They can also explain when your hearing aids need professional cleaning or maintenance. Using the right tools and methods for daily and weekly care helps maintain comfortable listening and remove buildup without making the problem worse.
Does Cleaning Hearing Aids Every Day Really Make a Difference?
Cleaning hearing aids every day does make a difference, especially when you add a closer inspection about once a week. Daily care removes surface residue before it builds up around the microphone openings, earpiece, and sound outlet. Choose a consistent time, such as after taking them out at night.
Follow your model’s instructions for the weekly inspection. You may need more frequent attention if you produce a lot of earwax, perspire heavily, or spend time in humid conditions.
Wax filters, domes, and tubing have their own replacement schedules. Check them regularly and replace them as needed or as directed, rather than relying on a single universal calendar.
Professional cleaning should supplement home care. In cases of heavy wax buildup, our hearing aid repair service includes cleaning with the proper tools. Ask John Dull or Travis Thomley how often to return based on your devices, wax buildup, and previous maintenance needs.
Why Does an Earmold Get Different Treatment Than a Receiver?
An earmold gets different treatment than a receiver because a plain earmold has no electronics and can sometimes be washed, while a receiver holds the speaker and must stay dry. Traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids may send sound through hollow plastic tubing to a separate earmold. Some earmolds without electronics can be detached and washed if the manufacturer permits it. Keep the electronic hearing aid body out of water.
Receiver-in-canal hearing aids have a speaker inside the earpiece, connected to the behind-the-ear body by a thin wire. Wipe these components carefully and follow the specific instructions for dome and wax-filter care.
In-the-ear, in-the-canal, and completely-in-canal devices sit partly or entirely inside the ear. Their surfaces, vents, and sound outlets are exposed to wax and skin oils. Small openings require gentle handling and the appropriate cleaning tools.
If you are unsure whether an earpiece contains electronics, ask before detaching or washing it. Similar-looking parts can require different care, and your model’s instructions should guide the process.
What’s the Nightly Order of Operations to Clean Hearing Aids?
The nightly order of operations to clean hearing aids is to switch them off, wipe and inspect them, brush the microphone openings, and then dry, store, or charge them. Wash and dry your hands, then work over a clean towel on a stable surface. Handle one hearing aid at a time so you can keep track of its parts. Follow these steps:
- Turn the device off using its normal controls.
- Wipe the casing and earpiece with a soft, dry cloth.
- Inspect the dome, earmold, and sound outlet for visible buildup.
- Gently brush across microphone openings, directing debris downward.
- Check charging contacts or accessible battery areas as instructed.
- Follow the recommended drying, storage, or charging routine.
Wax may be easier to brush away after drying overnight. You can complete that step the next morning if needed.
For disposable-battery models, instructions may include opening the battery compartment overnight. Rechargeable aids follow a different routine; do not try to open a sealed battery compartment.
Before wearing the aids again, check that removable earpieces are securely attached and the devices are dry.
Which Problems Does a Weekly Hearing Aid Maintenance Check Reveal?
A weekly hearing aid maintenance check reveals persistent wax, blocked filters, worn domes, and stiff, cracked, or discolored tubing. It reaches areas that need more attention than a quick wipe. Damaged parts may need replacement rather than additional cleaning, and behind-the-ear tubing in particular needs regular replacement.
Change a wax filter when required, using the exact type specified for your device. Don’t assume every filter needs weekly replacement. Use a vent cleaner or wax loop only in the locations our hearing care team has demonstrated.
If washing a detachable earmold is permitted, disconnect it as instructed, use the approved washing method, and let it and any washable tubing dry completely before reconnecting.
Inspect your charger and remove dust or residue according to its instructions. If buildup remains difficult to remove or sound stays weak, arrange professional service.
What Should Clients in Janesville, Portage, and Freeport Avoid?
Clients in Janesville, Portage, and Freeport should avoid water, harsh chemicals, sharp tools, and heat when cleaning hearing aids. Do not immerse the electronic hearing aid or a speaker-containing earpiece in water. A water-resistance rating does not automatically mean the device can be washed.
Avoid household detergents, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and other chemicals unless your manufacturer explicitly approves a particular product and method. Even a cleaner marketed for hearing aids may not suit every component. Never spray cleaner directly into openings.
Do not insert needles, pins, or improvised tools into microphone ports or sound outlets. Pushing harder can drive wax inward or damage the parts you are trying to clean.
Keep hearing aids away from hair dryers, microwaves, and other excessive heat sources. Never dismantle the casing for a deeper clean. If a part will not detach easily or you are unsure what it is, stop and ask for guidance.
Get a Hearing Aid Cleaning Demo From John Dull or Travis Thomley
A hands-on demonstration can make hearing aid care easier to manage. During an appointment, John Dull or Travis Thomley can review your devices, hearing concerns, health history, and goals for comfortable daily use, then show you the cleaning steps that fit your model.
Call or text our Janesville office at 608-752-3529, our Portage office at 608-747-5900, or our Freeport office at 815-239-0010, or reach Hearing Care Associates Inc. online to schedule a hearing aid care appointment.
