Step by step instructions for cleaning hearing aids
With these step by step instructions for cleaning hearing aids, you’ll be prepared to safely clean your hearing aids, no matter which type of hearing aid model you wear. The instructions differ depending on whether you wear ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids or BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids. Read on to learn how to clean either hearing aid type.
Steps for cleaning your ITE hearing aids
1. Remove your hearing aids and place them on a paper towel, paper plate, or other surface that can catch debris.
2. Using your brush, clear your hearing aids’ openings, including the microphone port, of earwax and other blockages. You should hold the opening that you’re cleaning facing downward so that, as you brush your hearing aid, the blockage falls out instead of getting further lodged in.
3. After you brush your hearing aids, examine the openings you’ve attempted to clear for any remaining wax or blockages. If you find any remaining debris, use your wax pick to gently wrestle this blockage free from your hearing aids.
4. Complete your hearing aid cleaning by wiping your hearing aid with an approved cloth. Make sure the cloth is dry so that you don’t expose your hearing aid to damaging moisture.
Steps for cleaning your BTE hearing aids
1. Remove your hearing aids and place them on a paper towel, paper plate, or other surface that can catch debris.
2. Remove your BTE hearing aid’s earmold from its hook to clean both pieces separately.
3. Begin cleaning your BTE hearing aids with a gentle cloth wipe-down.
4. Use an approved brush to remove wax.
5. Unlike with ITE hearing aids, a BTE earmold can handle warm, soapy water once per week. Soak your BTE hearing aids’ earmolds in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. (Never use rubbing alcohol or other household cleaning solutions on your hearing aids.)
6. Dry your earmolds completely overnight.
7. Use a bulb blower to push water out of your BTE hearing aid’s tubing. Let the tubing dry overnight.
8. Once all components are dry, reassemble your hearing aids.
NOTE: Before using water or any liquid-based cleaner, you should check with a hearing aid professional or audiologist.
In our next post, we’ll talk about some of the most popular hearing aid brands and some tips for cleaning them.
Learn more about hearing aid care with I Love Hearing
Cleaning your hearing aids is only a small part of ensuring that your devices are working properly and will last for years. At I Love Hearing, our leadership team has in-depth experience working hands-on with all major hearing aid brands, so we can advise you on cleaning and maintenance best practices.
Unlike many hearing aid providers that only sell and repair one brand, we carry and repair nearly every hearing aid brand available in the U.S., and particularly in New York City and Long Island. We offer hearing aid fitting, hearing aid repair, ear wax management, and other services that can help you to keep your hearing aids working like they’re brand new year after year. Our team of licensed audiologists and hearing aid specialists operates from offices located throughout the greater New York metro area: in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and throughout Long Island, including East Meadow, New Hyde Park, Port Washington, and Great Neck. If you have more questions about hearing aid fitting or hearing aid repair, visit the I Love Hearing FAQ page about hearing aids. And if you still have questions, we’d love to help you: Contact us to book an appointment and start your hearing aid journey.
