How to Clean Hearing Aids Safely at Home

Regular cleaning helps keep sound openings clear and removes wax, dust, and moisture from the outside of hearing aids. It can also help you spot a blocked filter or a damaged part before it affects use. Designs vary, so treat the manufacturer’s care instructions as the final word; the steps below are a safe general routine for many devices.

Before starting, switch the aids off and take them out of your ears. Work over a clean, well-lit surface, away from a sink. If a part does not come off easily, do not force it. Some devices are water-resistant, but that does not mean they can be rinsed or soaked.

What You’ll Need

A clean, soft, dry cloth or tissue that will not shed fibers
The cleaning brush or tool supplied with your hearing aids
A clean, dry work surface with good lighting
If your model uses them: replacement wax guards, domes, or other user-replaceable parts specified by the manufacturer
A drying container or hearing-aid dehumidifier, if recommended for your model

Do not substitute household cleaners, alcohol, disinfectant wipes, soap, water, cotton swabs, pins, or sharp objects. These can harm delicate components or push debris farther into an opening.

Step-by-Step

Check the instructions. Find the cleaning guidance for your exact model, including whether the receiver, tubing, dome, or earmold is removable. Note any warnings about rechargeable batteries, microphones, and wax guards. If the instructions differ from this general routine, follow the instructions.
Turn the aids off. Switch off each device before cleaning. For a model with disposable batteries, open the battery door only as the manual directs; do not pull on the battery or bend the door. For rechargeable aids, remove them from the charger before handling.
Inspect the outside. Under good light, look for visible wax, dust, moisture, cracks, or a loose part. Identify the microphone openings, sound outlet, and any wax filter so you can clean the correct areas without poking into them.
Wipe the casing. Gently wipe the outside with a clean, dry cloth. Use light pressure around buttons, seams, and battery doors. Avoid wetting the cloth or letting moisture run into openings. If the aid has a custom earmold, clean it according to its separate instructions.
Brush away loose debris. Hold the sound outlet or opening facing downward when practical, so loosened debris can fall out rather than deeper inside. Use the supplied soft brush with short, gentle strokes across the outlet and other accessible openings. Brush away from the microphone where your manual recommends; do not insert the brush into a port.
Clean removable parts only as directed. Some earmolds or tubing can be removed and cleaned separately, while many domes and receiver components must stay dry. Detach a part only if the manual says it is user-removable. If a part is approved for washing, remove it from the electronic body, use the stated method, and let it become completely dry before reattaching. Never wash the hearing aid itself.
Check the wax guard. If sound seems blocked and the guard looks clogged, replace it only using the correct tool and replacement guard for your model. Follow the maker’s instructions, and do not push wax through the filter or try to dig it out. If you are unsure how the guard works, leave it in place and contact your hearing-care provider.
Dry and store the devices. Make sure the casing and any cleaned removable parts are dry. Use a recommended drying container or dehumidifier if appropriate. Store the aids in their case in a dry place, away from heat, direct sunlight, pets, and children. Leave a disposable-battery door open only if the manual recommends it.

Common Mistakes

Rinsing the device: Even water-resistant hearing aids can be damaged by rinsing, soaking, or steam. Keep the electronic body dry.
Using alcohol or household wipes: Solvents and disinfectants may damage coatings, seals, or plastics. Use only products explicitly approved for your model.
Probing openings: Pins, toothpicks, and cotton swabs can damage delicate parts or compact wax. Brush only the surface, using the supplied tool.
Forcing parts apart: A dome, guard, or receiver that is not intended for home removal can break or become difficult to reattach. Check the manual first.
Putting damp parts back: Moisture trapped inside a device can cause problems. Allow approved washable parts to dry fully before reassembly.
Ignoring a change in sound: Repeatedly cleaning or changing settings may not solve a fault. Persistent distortion, feedback, or silence may need professional inspection.

Tips

Build a quick wipe-and-brush routine into your daily removal or bedtime routine; follow the manufacturer’s suggested frequency for deeper cleaning.
Clean over a table or tray so small parts are easier to find if they come loose. Keep replacement filters and tiny tools in a labeled case.
Handle each aid by its casing rather than pulling on a wire or tube. Keep track of left and right devices and parts if they are not interchangeable.
Store the brush and cleaning tools clean and dry. Replace a worn brush or a damaged cleaning tool rather than using it on the device.
Keep hearing aids away from hairspray, cosmetics, and powder while applying those products. Put the aids in only after sprays or lotions have dried.

Troubleshooting

The aid still sounds weak or muffled: Turn it off and inspect the sound outlet and wax guard under good light. Brush loose debris away or replace the guard if your manual permits. If sound remains weak, do not insert anything into the outlet; contact your hearing-care provider or the manufacturer for service.

The device got wet: Turn it off, remove it from the charger, and dry the outside gently with a soft cloth. Do not use a hair dryer, heater, microwave, or direct sunlight. Follow the model’s instructions for drying, and contact the provider if it does not work normally afterward.

A part is stuck, loose, or damaged: Stop cleaning and do not glue, pry, or force it. Keep the device and any loose part together, then ask your hearing-care provider or manufacturer about repair or replacement.

There is persistent whistling, crackling, or no sound: Confirm that the aid is switched on and that its battery is charged or correctly installed, following the manual. If cleaning and these basic checks do not help, arrange a professional check rather than continuing to disassemble it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my hearing aids?

Wipe and inspect them regularly, often as part of your daily routine. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for brushing, replacing wax guards, and cleaning removable earmolds because schedules differ by model and use.

Can I use alcohol wipes on hearing aids?

Do not use them unless the manufacturer specifically approves that product for your exact device. Alcohol and other disinfectants can damage materials or seals.

Can I clean hearing aids with water?

Do not rinse or soak the electronic device. Some removable earmolds or tubing may be washable, but only when the manual says so; dry those parts completely before reattaching them.

How do I clean earwax out of the sound opening?

Use the supplied soft brush gently on the surface, with the opening facing downward if possible. Do not poke inside; replace a user-serviceable wax guard as directed or ask a hearing-care provider for help.

What should I do if cleaning does not restore the sound?

Check the battery or charge and inspect the wax guard as your instructions allow. If the problem continues, contact your hearing-care provider or the manufacturer rather than taking the device apart.

Can I clean rechargeable hearing aids while they are charging?

No. Remove them from the charger and switch them off before cleaning. Keep both the aids and charger dry, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.

Further reading: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.