Coastal Georgia humidity, everyday earwax, and skin oils can slowly clog the tiny openings that carry sound through your hearing aids. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents the frustration of wax and moisture interfering with sound.
At My Hearing Aid Place, co-founders Trisha L. Dibkey, Au.D., CCC-A, and Karla McKenzie, MCD, CCC-A, bring more than 35 years of combined audiology experience to patients in Richmond Hill and Savannah. They can demonstrate how to care for your specific devices and explain when they need professional cleaning or maintenance. Using the right tools and methods for daily and weekly care helps maintain comfortable listening and remove buildup without making the problem worse.
Why Does Hearing Aid Cleaning Need to Happen Every Day?
Hearing aid cleaning needs to happen every day because a quick wipe and inspection removes surface residue before it builds up around the microphone openings, earpiece, and sound outlet. Choose a consistent time, such as after taking your hearing aids out at night.
Plan a closer inspection about once a week, following your model’s instructions. 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 Trisha Dibkey or Karla McKenzie how often to return based on your devices, wax buildup, and previous maintenance needs.
Do Behind-the-Ear and In-the-Ear Models Need Different Cleaning?
Behind-the-ear and in-the-ear models do need different cleaning, because each style places its tubing, speaker, and openings in a different spot. 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 the Best Way to Clean Hearing Aids at the End of the Day?
The best way to clean hearing aids at the end of the day is to turn them off, wipe and inspect each one, brush the microphone openings, and then dry, store, or charge them. 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.
What Weekly Hearing Aid Maintenance Do Savannah-Area Wearers Need?
Savannah-area wearers need weekly hearing aid maintenance that checks for persistent wax, blocked filters, worn domes, and stiff, cracked, or discolored tubing. This closer look reaches areas that need more attention than a quick wipe. 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 our audiologists have demonstrated.
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 Cleaning Products and Tools Can Harm Hearing Aids?
Water, household chemicals, sharp or improvised tools, and high heat can all harm 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.
Do not insert needles, pins, or improvised tools into microphone ports or sound outlets. Pushing harder can drive wax inward parts you are trying to clean.
Keep hearing aids away from hair dryers, microwaves, and other excessive heat sources. 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.
Get Hearing Aid Care Help in Richmond Hill or Savannah
A short, hands-on demonstration can take the guesswork out of hearing aid care. At your appointment, Trisha Dibkey, Au.D., or Karla McKenzie, MCD, can review your devices, hearing concerns, health history, and goals for comfortable daily use.
Reach our Richmond Hill office on Frances Meeks Way at 912-513-5794 or our Savannah office on Mall Boulevard at 912-513-3057. You can also contact My Hearing Aid Place online to book a hearing aid care visit.