Investing in hearing aids is a significant, positive step for your hearing health and well-being. And just like any other investment, it’s worth spending some time looking after your hearing aids. They’re highly sophisticated pieces of technology and will benefit from regular cleaning and maintenance.
Giving your hearing aids a proper clean every day will help make sure they work as well as possible, and could help them to last longer.
Read the manufacturer’s booklet that came with your hearing aids, and follow the instructions carefully. If in doubt, you can always get in touch with us.
General tips
• Put a towel on the table when cleaning a hearing aid so that if you drop anything, it’ll land on a soft surface.
• A build-up of ear wax can stop your hearing aid from working correctly and can even cause it to squeal or whistle. If this happens, please contact us. And if you’re suffering from ear wax build-up, you can speak to us about having excess ear wax removed professionally.
• When you take your hearing aids out of your ears, keep them in the protective case supplied except when charging them (rechargeable aids only).
Cleaning your hearing aids
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids
• To clean the hearing aid, wipe it with a soft tissue. Domes should not be removed for cleaning – they are intended for single use. If there is a wax build-up or blockage within the dome, replace it with a new dome according to the instructions in the manufacturer’s booklet.
• If you have a custom ear mould, gently wipe it with a soft tissue. Any blockage in the vent opening may be removed by using the brush/vent tool supplied when you bought your hearing aid.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
• Gently wiping your hearing aids with a soft tissue and brushing them carefully with the brush supplied should keep your hearing aids clean.
• Ear wax build-up or a blockage in the vent openings can be removed by using the brush/vent tool supplied. Make sure to read the instructions in the manufacturer’s booklet.
Things to avoid
• Never use water or any kind of solvent, as these could damage your hearing aid.
• Never wash the aid itself. Wipe gently with a dry cloth.
For behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids only…
• Never use a pin or needle to remove wax from the mould or tubing.
• Never clean the mould while it’s attached to the aid.
• Do not try to detach the mould from its tubing.
Water
• Avoid getting your hearing aids wet, so don’t wear them in the bath, shower or while swimming.
• If your hearing aid does get wet by mistake, dry it very carefully; take out the batteries to get rid of any moisture that may be inside. If your hearing aid came with a dry storage kit, put the hearing aid inside to dry it.
Heat
• Never try to dry a hearing aid using a hair dryer or microwave.
• Never place a hearing aid on a radiator.
• Don’t leave your hearing aid inside your car on a hot day.
Sprays
• Cosmetics such as hair spray, aftershave and perfume can damage a hearing aid, so take it out before using sprays.
Fitting a new battery
To fit a new battery, read the instructions in your manufacturer’s booklet and follow them carefully.
Follow the links to watch our video guides on how to change batteries for behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aids.
Hearing aid maintenance
Click on the link for a range of hearing aid maintenance videos.
You’ll find video guides on everything from how to change your hearing aid batteries, to connecting your aid to other devices.
