Earwax and moisture are a normal part of wearing hearing aids, but left in place they can block openings and leave your devices sounding weak. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents the frustration of wax and moisture interfering with sound.
At HearCare, Inc. and Associates, with offices on North Travis Street in Sherman and East California Street in Gainesville, owners Kenneth M. Sheppard, Jr., and Jill A. Sheppard, both licensed fitters and dispensers of hearing instruments, can demonstrate how to care for your specific devices and explain when they need professional cleaning or maintenance. Using the right tools and methods helps maintain comfortable listening and remove buildup without making the problem worse.
How Often Should Sherman and Gainesville Clients Clean Hearing Aids?
Clients should clean hearing aids with a gentle wipe and inspection every day and give them 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. Ask Kenneth or Jill Sheppard how often to return based on your devices, wax buildup, and previous maintenance needs.
Can Earmolds, Domes, and Custom Shells All Be Cleaned the Same Way?
Earmolds, domes, and custom shells can’t all be cleaned the same way, because each hearing aid style places its tubing, speaker, and openings differently. 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 on a Daily Hearing Aid Cleaning Checklist?
A daily hearing aid cleaning checklist covers turning the device off, wiping and inspecting it, brushing the microphone openings, checking contacts, and drying, storing, or charging it. 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.
Where Do a Wax Loop and a New Wax Filter Fit Into Weekly Care?
A wax loop and a new wax filter fit into weekly care as the tools for clearing persistent wax and replacing a blocked filter, used only the way your hearing care provider has shown you. Weekly care also gives you a chance to look for worn domes and stiff, cracked, or discolored tubing. Damaged parts may need replacement rather than additional cleaning.
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 demonstrated at your hearing aid fitting or a follow-up visit.
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.
Which Well-Meant Cleaning Habits End Up Harming Hearing Aids?
Well-meant habits like rinsing the device, wiping it with household chemicals, poking wax out with a pin, or drying it with heat can end up harming 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.
Keep needles, pins, and improvised tools out of microphone ports and sound outlets. Pushing harder can drive wax inward or damage the parts you are trying to clean.
Hair dryers, microwaves, and other excessive heat sources can also cause damage. 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.
See Our Sherman or Gainesville Team for Hands-On Hearing Aid Care
A hands-on demonstration can make hearing aid care easier to manage. During an appointment, Kenneth and Jill Sheppard can review your devices, hearing concerns, health history, and goals for comfortable daily use, whether you bought your hearing aids from us or elsewhere.
Call our Sherman office at 903-206-2442 or our Gainesville office at 903-206-1692, or contact HearCare, Inc. and Associates to schedule a hearing aid care appointment.