Your hearing aids are part of nearly everything you do, from catching a conversation to hearing a favorite song. Over time, earwax, moisture and dust settle into the small openings that carry sound, and that buildup is one of the most common reasons hearing aids sound muffled or cut out.
Short answer: wipe your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth and brush the microphone and receiver openings every day. Once a week, change or check the wax filter, clean the dome or earmold and dry the hearing aids overnight. Never use water, alcohol or household cleaners, and book a professional clean every three to six months.
Why Cleaning Matters
Small buildups can change how your hearing aids work. Earwax, dust and moisture collect around the microphone and receiver, the parts that pick up and deliver sound. When that happens, you might notice dull or muffled sound, whistling, or sound that cuts in and out.
Without regular cleaning you also risk:
- Clogged microphones and receivers from earwax
- Moisture damage from sweat or rain
- Damage from the wrong cleaning products
These problems are common and preventable. A steady routine protects your hearing aids, cuts down on repairs and keeps your hearing clear and reliable.
What You Need to Clean Hearing Aids at Home
You don't need anything high-tech. The best way to clean hearing aids at home is with a few simple tools:
- A soft, dry cloth to wipe the outside of the hearing aid
- A small cleaning brush to clear the microphone and receiver openings
- A wax pick or loop to lift out earwax and debris
- Replacement wax filters and domes for your brand
- A drying container or dehumidifier, especially in humid weather or after a sweaty day
Our HearWell hearing aid cleaning kit is $25. Wax filters are sold per pack, and domes come in packs of 10 for $10 per pack. Shipping is free on orders over $100, or pick up free at our Midtown West office.
How to Clean Hearing Aids: Daily and Weekly Steps
Every day
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Wipe the hearing aid with a soft, dry cloth.
- Hold the hearing aid with the openings facing down and gently brush the microphone and receiver openings, so debris falls out instead of in.
- Use the wax pick to lift out any wax you can see on the dome or sound opening.
- Put rechargeable hearing aids in the charger, or open the battery door on disposable-battery models overnight.
Every week
- Check the wax filter, and change it if it looks clogged or sound is weaker than usual.
- Remove the dome and wipe it clean, or replace it if it's stiff, discolored or torn.
- For behind-the-ear hearing aids with tubing, check the tubing for moisture and wax.
- Dry your hearing aids overnight in a drying container or dehumidifier.
Tips for Each Hearing Aid Style
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC): focus on the receiver, wax filter and dome, since they sit in your ear canal. Watch how to clean receiver-in-the-ear hearing aids.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) with earmolds: clean the earmold and tubing carefully. Follow your provider's instructions before washing a removable earmold, and dry it fully before you reconnect it.
- Custom (ITE, ITC, CIC): concentrate on the microphone and the sound opening, where wax collects most. Watch how to clean custom hearing aids and how to change the wax filter on a custom hearing aid.
- Rechargeable: keep the charging contacts on the hearing aids and in the charger clean and dry.
Our How-To Videos page also shows how to change ReSound and Phonak wax filters.
Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Using water or soap. Never rinse hearing aids or soak them.
- Using baby wipes, alcohol or household disinfectants. They can leave too much moisture or damage the coatings and parts. Use a dry cloth or wipes made for hearing aids.
- Poking inside the openings. Don't push a pick or pin into the microphone or receiver; brush gently instead.
- Drying with heat. Never use a hair dryer, oven or microwave.
- Skipping professional cleanings. A deep clean reaches buildup you can't get to at home.
Professional Cleaning at the Cleaning Bar
At-home care is great for daily maintenance. The Cleaning Bar is our dedicated station for a deeper professional clean, like a Genius Bar for your hearing aids and headphones.
- Flat fee of $65 for a deep clean that clears wax, debris and buildup
- Any hearing aids, any brand, even if you didn't buy them from us, plus headphones
- Walk-ins welcome Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, at 237 W 35th St, Suite 702A, steps from Penn Station
We recommend a professional clean every three to six months, or any time you notice muffled sound, whistling or buildup you can't remove. If cleaning doesn't fix the problem, see our hearing aid repair options: the service appointment is $99, and parts are additional.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my hearing aids?
Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth and brush the openings every day. Once a week, check the wax filter, clean or replace the dome and dry the hearing aids overnight. We recommend a professional clean every three to six months.
Are baby wipes safe for cleaning hearing aids?
No. Regular baby wipes can leave too much moisture and contain ingredients that may damage delicate parts. Use a dry cloth and brush, or wipes made for hearing aids.
Can household cleaners or disinfectants damage hearing aids?
Yes. Alcohol, sprays and standard disinfecting wipes can damage coatings and internal parts. Use only cleaning tools made for hearing aids.
What should I do if my hearing aids get wet?
Turn them off and take out disposable batteries. Wipe the outside gently and let them dry, ideally in a hearing aid drying container. Never use a hair dryer, oven or microwave. If they still don't sound right, bring them to our Midtown West office.
How do I clean the microphone and receiver openings without causing damage?
Hold the hearing aid with the openings facing down and brush gently with a soft hearing aid brush, so debris falls out. Use a wax pick only on the surface, and never push anything inside.
How much does a professional hearing aid cleaning cost?
A deep clean at our Cleaning Bar is a flat $65, for any hearing aids from any brand. Walk-ins are welcome.
Questions about cleaning? Call (332) 238-1028 or email [email protected].
Hearing aids sounding muffled?
Stop by the Cleaning Bar for a $65 deep clean, no appointment needed, or shop cleaning supplies online with free pickup at our Midtown West office.
Dr. Jessica M. Frankel
Co-Founder | Doctor of Audiology
Questions about caring for your hearing aids?
Call or email HearWell Services at (332) 238-1028 or [email protected].
