Hearing aids are valuable companions in the daily lives of many people. They support better communication and make a significant contribution to quality of life. For a hearing aid to function reliably, regular cleaning, careful care and appropriate storage are essential.
This article provides easy-to-understand instructions on how to clean various hearing aid designs, in particular behind-the-ear hearing aids and in-the-ear hearing aids, and is aimed at both users and caregivers.
Why proper hearing aid care is so important
Hearing aids are exposed to a lot of dirt such as sweat, earwax, skin flakes, dust, pollen and moisture on a daily basis. These contaminants can impair the functionality, shorten the service life and, in the worst case, damage the hearing system.
Typical impurities in everyday life
Hearing aids are exposed to various risks of soiling in everyday life, including
Sweat and moisture
Moisture easily penetrates earpieces and microphone inputs and can thus impair electronic components.
Earwax and dander
Earwax, flakes of skin and other particles settle particularly in the ear canal and contaminate in-the-ear hearing aids or the earmold.
Dust, make-up and pollen
Especially when wearing behind-the-ear hearing aids, powder, make-up or dust can get onto the housing.
Important basic rules for using hearing aids
- Wash your hands before cleaning.
- Never treat appliances with water, alcohol, aggressive cleaning agents or heat.
- Avoid exposure to sun, heat and direct UV light (exception: special UV drying devices from the hearing care professional).
- Do not use household remedies that are not expressly recommended.
The right equipment: Helpful cleaning products
The following are suitable for cleaning hearing aids:
- soft cloth
- Cleaning brush or cleaning brushes
- Fine brush for cleaning the openings
- Special cleaning products for hearing aids
- Cleaning tablets for earmolds
- Air spray or bellows for drying
- Drying boxes, drying capsules or UV devices
- Replacement cerumen filter for in-the-ear hearing aids
Cleaning step by step: How to care for your hearing aids safely and effectively
Thorough and regular cleaning of your hearing aids is crucial to reliably remove dirt, earwax and moisture and to maintain their functionality in the long term.
Before getting down to practical implementation, it is important to approach each step of the process well prepared. The following instructions show you clearly and comprehensibly how to properly clean, dry and care for different hearing aid designs, both behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids. This will protect your hearing aids from damage and can significantly extend their service life.
Step 1: Preparation
Before cleaning, you should switch off the hearing aids, remove the batteries or deactivate the rechargeable batteries. Then carefully remove the device from your ear and place it on a non-slip surface.
Step 2: Cleaning behind-the-ear hearing aids
Daily cleaning
- Wipe the housing with a dry cloth.
- Carefully clean the microphone inputs with a brush.
- Remove earwax from the earpiece (earmold).
Weekly cleaning
- Soak removable earpieces in lukewarm water with cleaning tablets (if provided by the model).
- Allow to dry thoroughly, never use a hairdryer or heater!
- Remove any residual cerumen with a fine brush.
Step 3: Cleaning in-the-ear hearing aids
Surface care
- Carefully clean the ear canal openings with a brush.
- Check the wax filter regularly and replace if necessary.
More intensive cleaning
- Only use special cleaning products, never use various household products or water to remove dirt from the hearing aid.
- Only remove dirt dry or with suitable wet wipes that are approved for in-ear devices.
Drying: reliably remove moisture
Moisture is one of the most common causes of hearing aid malfunctions. Sweat, rain, condensation or high humidity can easily get into the housing, microphone inputs and battery compartments.
There, it can encourage bacteria and other microorganisms that not only cause unpleasant odors, but also attack the sensitive electronics. In addition, deposits build up over time, which reduce the performance of the hearing aid or lead to dropouts. Consistent drying therefore ensures that the devices remain reliable, hygienic and permanently functional.
Suitable methods
- Drying boxes or UV drying (which is safe for electronics).
- Dry capsules overnight.
- Never place devices in the sun, high temperatures damage the hearing system.
Storage: protection from damage
The following applies when placing the devices:
- Always store in a dry place
- Avoid airtight boxes
- Protect against insects, dust and dirt
- No storage in the bathroom due to high humidity
Function test and hearing aid check
A quick daily check helps to detect problems at an early stage:
- Does the microphone work?
- Are there dropouts?
- Does the earpiece still fit correctly?
- is there any unusual soiling?
Common mistakes when cleaning hearing aids
Water and alcohol
Water, alcohol or other liquid cleaning agents do not belong near a hearing aid. Liquids can enter the interior through the smallest openings and damage electronic components. Even a few drops are enough to cause short circuits, corrosion or permanent malfunctions. Even damp cloths should only be used sparingly and never directly on the device.
Get the support that suits you.
Contact us now and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
*Mandatory fields
**Weprocess and store your data exclusively for the purpose of establishing contact and initiating business. We do not pass on your data. You can object to the storage of your personal data at any time by sending an e-mail to datenschutz@agfh.de at any time. In this case, we will immediately delete the data stored about you in due time, provided that no statutory retention periods must be observed.
You can find further information, including about other rights you have to protect your data, in our data protection information.
Heat and sun
Excessively high temperatures, for example due to direct sunlight, radiators or a hairdryer, can overheat the sensitive electronics. At the same time, materials such as silicone or plastic, from which earmolds are made, deform. This not only impairs the fit in the ear, but also the acoustic transmission. Hearing aids should therefore always be dried and stored at room temperature.
Improper household remedies
Many seemingly harmless household products such as vinegar, washing-up liquid or aggressive cleaning cloths contain chemical additives that can attack or discolor surfaces. Plastics in particular are sensitive to solvents.
The following therefore applies: Only use specially approved cleaning products and strictly avoid improvised solutions.
Make-up and creams
Cosmetic products such as powder, foundation or greasy creams can clog the microphone inputs and close fine openings. This leads to distorted sound, reduced volume or malfunctions. It is advisable to use hearing aids only after applying make-up or cream and to avoid touching them if possible.
Hearing aid cleaning: When professional help makes sense
A hearing care professional should be consulted if:
- Repeated soiling that cannot be removed
- Defective cerumen filter
- declining function despite cleaning
- Deterioration of the condition of the earmold
- Need for spare parts
- Regular maintenance and functional analysis
Look out for special models
Different models and types of hearing aids require slightly different methods. Modern devices may contain sensitive components, so you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Tips for caregivers
Dealing with older people
- Patience and calm guidance.
- Use additional lighting.
- Provide step-by-step guidance and check together.
Protecting devices in day-to-day care
- Remove before showering or bathing.
- Avoid contact with make-up, creams and hairspray.
- Short daily visual inspection.
Special features for sensitive ear canals
People with sensitive ear canals or increased earwax production often need to clean and check their hearing aids more frequently. Excess cerumen collects more quickly at the openings of in-the-ear hearing aids or on the earpieces of behind-the-ear models and can therefore reduce the sound quality or lead to malfunctions. A regular visual inspection helps to detect soiling at an early stage and remove it gently.
Factors such as perspiration, skin irritation or allergic reactions to the ear can also affect wearing comfort. Moist or irritated skin encourages deposits and can lead to the hearing aid no longer fitting securely or slipping more frequently.
In such cases, it makes sense to use breathable protective foils, gentle care products or individually fitted earmolds. In the event of recurring complaints, it is also advisable to consult a hearing care professional to clarify any material incompatibilities or fitting problems.
Useful additions for hearing aid care
- Microfiber cloths
- Replacement earpieces
- Bellows for moisture removal
- Dry capsules for traveling
- Small case box for storage
The right rhythm: care routine at a glance
- Daily: surface cleaning and visual inspection
- Weekly: more thorough cleaning and drying
- Monthly: Function and seat check
- Annually: professional maintenance by the hearing care professional
Protecting hearing aids on the move
For use outside the home:
- Transport in sturdy case
- Avoid contact with rain and moisture
- Use sweat protection during exercise
Conclusion: Care extends the service life of hearing aids
With the right tips, clear instructions and regular care, hearing aids remain efficient and reliable. Whether behind-the-ear hearing aid or in-the-ear hearing aid: a consistent routine protects against soiling, maintains function and extends the service life. If you are unsure or have recurring problems, the help of a qualified hearing care professional is always a good decision.
