How to clean your hearing aids?
Find out all you need to know about keeping your hearing aids hygienic and ensuring they remain in good working condition.
Before you start
You need to be certain what style of hearing aids you have because the cleaning instructions are very different for different models. You can find instructions for cleaning each type of hearing aid below.
As a general rule, clean your hearing aids and earpieces each day with a soft, dry cloth. Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling your hearing aids, and hold your hearing aids over a soft surface to avoid damage if you drop them.
The wax filter should be replaced once a month or when clogged or if a hearing aid sounds unusual. Use the wax filter supplied by your hearing care professional.
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Behind-the-ear hearing aids (RITE, miniRITE)
This type of hearing aid sits behind your ear and slightly on top of it. It has a thin wire attached to speaker and an earpiece, which sits in your ear canal.
If your hearing aids have disposable batteries, remove them by opening the battery drawers
Clean the surface of your hearing aids
To clean the hearing aids, use a soft, dry cloth. The hearing aids must never be washed or immersed in water or other liquids.
Keep the charge pads clean to ensure optimal charging. Clean the charge pads using a dry cloth.
Clean the microphone openings
Use the brush of the MultiTool to carefully brush debris away from the openings and the surface around the openings. Ensure that you do not forcefully squeeze parts of the MultiTool into the microphone openings. This may damage the hearing aid.
Replace the wax filter
Replace your hearing aid wax filters once a month or whenever they are clogged or if the hearing aid sounds unusual. Always use the same type of wax filter that was originally supplied with your hearing aids. If you are in any doubt about the use or replacement of wax filters, contact your hearing care professional.
Replace your standard earpiece (dome)
Remove any debris from the earpiece every day with a soft cloth. If the earpiece is filled with earwax, replace it with a new one. The earpiece should be replaced at least once a month.
Cleaning earmoulds on RITE hearing aids
If your hearing aids have moulds that are made to fit your ears AND they have electronic speakers that sit inside the moulds, then follow these cleaning instructions:
The moulds should be cleaned regularly. Moulds used for RITE styles cannot be detached from the hearing aid, and since they contain electronics, they must never be washed or immersed in water or other liquids.
Clean the ventilation opening by pressing the cleaning brush through the hole while twisting it slightly.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids with a thin hollow plastic tube that runs to an earpiece that goes into your ear canal (BTE, miniBTE)
This type of hearing aid sits behind your ear and slightly on top of it. They have no electronic components outside the shell of the hearing aid.
If your hearing aids have disposable batteries, remove the batteries by opening the battery drawers
Clean the surfaces of your hearing aids
Use wet wipes that don’t contain alcohol. This is because they are coated with a hydrophobic coating that is sensitive to alcohol.
An alternative to wet wipes is cleaning with a lint-free cotton cloth and a mild soap solution. Avoid using excess water that can enter the hearing aids.
After cleaning, leave your hearing aids to dry for an hour.
Clean the microphone openings on the plastic casing of your hearing aids
Use the cleaning brush of your MultiTool to brush out any debris.
Clean the thin tube
Pull it of the hearing aid, and then push the cleaning tool all the way through.
Replace your domes, unless you have earmoulds.
Remove any debris from the domes every day with a soft cloth. If the domes are filled with earwax, replace them with new ones. The domes should be replaced at least once a month.
Replace the wax filter
The earpiece has a white wax filter that keeps wax and debris from damaging the hearing aid. Replace the filter when clogged and at least once a month, or if the sound is not normal. Always use the same type of wax filter that was originally supplied with your hearing aids. If you are in any doubt about the use or replacement of wax filters, contact your hearing care professional.
Cleaning earmoulds on BTE hearing aids
If you are unsure which type of mould you have, please consult your hearing care professional.
Care for the mould: The moulds should be cleaned regularly. Use a soft cloth to clean its surface. Use the MultiTool wire loop to clean the opening.
Replace the tube: The tube between the mould and the hearing aid should be replaced if it becomes yellow or stiff. Consult your hearing care professional about this.
Wash the mould:
Step 1: Make sure you are able to identify which mould is for which hearing aid before disconnecting them from the hearing aid.
Step 2: Disconnect the tube and mould from the hook of the hearing aid. Hold the hook firmly when pulling it off the tube. Otherwise the hearing aid may be damaged.
Step 3: Wash the mould and tube using mild soap. Rinse and dry completely before reconnecting to the hearing aid.
In-the-ear hearing aids
In-the-ear hearing aid styles include Invisible-In-Canal (IIC), Completely-In-Canal (CIC), In-The-Canal (ITC), In-The-Ear (ITE) Half Shell and In-The-Ear (ITE) Full Shell.
Remove the batteries by opening the battery drawers
Clean the surfaces of your hearing aids
To clean the hearing aids, use a soft, dry cloth. The hearing aids must never be washed or immersed in water or other liquids.
Carefully brush away debris from the microphone inlets with a clean brush. Gently brush the surface. Make sure that the microphone filters do not fall off. Clean the vent by pressing the brush through the hole while twisting it slightly. If the vent is very small, a special tool my be required. Please consult your hearing care professional.
Replace the wax filter
Change your hearing aid filters whenever they become clogged or at least once a month or if the hearing aid sounds unusual - this goes for both the microphone filter and the wax filter. Always use the same type of microphone and wax filters that was originally supplied with your hearing aids. If you are in any doubt about the use or replacement of microphone and wax filters, contact your hearing care professional.