How to Clean Your Hearing Aids Properly — and Make Them Last as Long as Possible

Hearing aids are remarkable pieces of technology — tiny, sophisticated, and working hard every single day. They face earwax, moisture, skin oils, and the full range of British weather without complaint. But they do need a little regular care to keep performing at their best. Here's exactly what to do, and what to avoid.

How to clean hearing aids — the daily routine

Here's exactly how to clean hearing aids properly, and what to avoid. The most important habit is a quick clean at the end of each day, before you store them overnight. Take them out, and with a soft dry cloth or the small brush that came with your aids, gently wipe the exterior and brush away any visible wax from the microphone ports and speaker. That's genuinely all the daily routine needs to be. Two minutes, every evening. It prevents wax from building up and hardening inside the device, which is one of the most common causes of muffled sound or complete blockage.

Weekly — a slightly more thorough check

Once a week, take a few extra minutes to check the following:

• The domes or earmoulds — these sit in your ear canal and collect wax. If they look blocked, they can usually be removed and replaced. We'll show you how at your fitting appointment, and spare domes are inexpensive.

• The wax guard or filter — most modern hearing aids have a small replaceable wax guard that sits over the speaker. When sound becomes muffled despite cleaning, this is often the culprit. We supply replacements at the clinic.

• The tubing (if your aid has it) — check for moisture, cracks, or discolouration. Tubing typically needs replacing every three to six months.

What to avoid

A few things that damage hearing aids faster than anything else:

• Water — remove your aids before showering, swimming, or washing your face. Most modern aids have some water resistance, but immersion will damage them.

• Hairspray, perfume, and aftershave — apply these before putting your aids in, and let them dry first.

• Cotton buds — never try to poke inside any of the ports or openings.

• Heat — don't leave them on a windowsill in direct sunlight or near a radiator. Heat damages the electronics.

Overnight storage

If your aids are rechargeable, they go in their charging case overnight — this also keeps them clean and dry. If yours use disposable batteries, open the battery door overnight. This allows any moisture to evaporate and extends battery life. A drying kit or electronic dehumidifier is worth having if you notice your aids are affected by moisture — we can advise on options.

How long do hearing aids last?

With good care, modern hearing aids typically last five to seven years. Without it, that can drop significantly. The most common causes of premature failure are moisture damage, wax blockage of the speaker, and physical damage from dropping them. At the Chepstow Hearing Clinic, all our hearing aids come with a five-year warranty, and we include ongoing aftercare — so if something doesn't sound right or you're not sure whether your aids need servicing, just give us a call. Regular professional cleaning once or twice a year is also worthwhile. We can clean internal components, replace worn parts, and check that the programming still matches your current hearing. Call us on 01291 332211 or book online.