HearSilk Care Guide · October 2026
How to Clean & Maintain Your Hearing Aids
5 minutes a day that save you thousands of dollars and years of device life
Your hearing aids survive earwax, sweat, humidity, dust, and 16 hours of daily wear. They're tougher than they look - but they're not invincible. The difference between a hearing aid that lasts 3 years and one that lasts 7 is a 5-minute nightly routine. This guide shows you exactly what to do, how often, and what never to do - for every type of hearing aid.
"The #1 cause of hearing aid failure isn't technology or age. It's earwax. A 5-minute cleaning habit prevents more repairs than any warranty."- The truth your audiologist wishes you'd listen toThe math
Why 5 minutes a day saves thousands of dollars
Hearing aids cost $2,000 to $8,000 per pair. With proper daily care, they last 5-7 years. Without it, lifespan drops to 3-4 years. Over a decade, that's the difference between buying two pairs and buying three or four - a gap of $5,000 to $10,000 in unnecessary replacement costs, plus repair fees along the way.
Hearing aid lifespan: proper care vs poor care
Average device life in years · Industry data
What you need (and what you already have)
Most hearing aids ship with a basic cleaning tool - a brush with a wax loop on the other end. If yours didn't, or you've lost it, replacement kits cost $8-$15 online. HearSilk carries cleaning kits and replacement supplies for all major brands.
The routineDaily cleaning: 5 minutes, every night, no exceptions
The nightly 5-minute routine
Do this every night before bed - before your hearing aids go in the charger or case
- Wash and dry your hands. Hand lotions, oils, and dirt transfer onto hearing aids the moment you touch them. Clean, dry hands first - always.
- Wipe the entire body with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Remove skin oil, sweat, and dust from the hearing aid shell. Pay attention to the area where the hearing aid sits behind your ear - this collects the most moisture.
- Brush the microphone ports. Use the cleaning brush to gently sweep across the microphone openings (tiny holes on the top or back of the hearing aid). Brush downward so debris falls away from the ports, not into them.
- Brush the receiver (speaker) opening. For RIC hearing aids, brush the dome end where the receiver sits. For BTE, brush the earmold sound bore. This is where earwax accumulates most and where 90% of "my hearing aid sounds muffled" problems originate.
- Check the wax guard. Look at the tiny filter over the receiver opening. If it's discolored or clogged, replace it. A blocked wax guard is the #1 cause of muffled sound and the easiest thing to fix.
- Place in a drying case or dehumidifier. Moisture is the #2 killer of hearing aids. A drying case (electronic or silica gel) pulls overnight moisture from the device. If you live in a humid climate, this step is non-negotiable.
Weekly deep clean: 10 minutes, pick a day
The weekly deep clean
Pick a day - Sunday works well - and give your hearing aids 10 minutes of attention
- Remove and wash silicone domes. Pop the domes off the receiver wire. Wash them in warm water with a tiny drop of mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and set them on a clean cloth to air dry completely before reattaching. Never wash the hearing aid itself - only the detachable domes.
- Use a wax pick on stubborn buildup. If daily brushing hasn't cleared all the wax from the receiver opening, a wax pick or wire loop can dislodge hardened deposits. Be gentle - don't push wax deeper into the opening.
- Inspect the wire or tubing. For RIC hearing aids, look at the thin wire connecting the body to the receiver. Check for kinks, cracks, or discoloration. For BTE hearing aids, check the tubing for yellowing, hardening, or moisture droplets inside. Replace tubing every 3-6 months or when it stiffens.
- Clean charging contacts. For rechargeable hearing aids, wipe the metal charging contacts on both the hearing aid and the charger with a dry cloth. Dirty contacts cause charging failures- one of the most common "my hearing aid died" calls.
- Check dome condition. Silicone domes become stiff, discolored, or cracked over time. If a dome looks worn or doesn't fit snugly anymore, replace it. Worn domes cause feedback (whistling) and sound leakage. See our feedback troubleshooting guide →
Monthly and as-needed: replacement schedule
Consumables replacement schedule
These small parts wear out - replacing them on schedule prevents bigger problems
Wax guards (filters): Every 2-4 weeks, or whenever sound becomes muffled. These tiny mesh filters protect the receiver from earwax - they're designed to be replaced, not cleaned. Each brand has its own wax guard system (Phonak CeruShield, Oticon ProWax, Signia CeruGuard, etc.). Cost: $8-$15 per pack of 8-16 filters.
Domes (ear tips): Every 1-3 months, or whenever they feel loose, stiff, or discolored. Worn domes don't seal properly, causing sound leakage and feedback. Cost: $10-$20 per pack.
Tubing (BTE only): Every 3–6 months. Tubing hardens and yellows over time, which reduces sound transmission. Your audiologist can replace tubing during a check-up.
Professional cleaning: Every 6 months. Your audiologist has ultrasonic cleaners and vacuum tools that remove buildup you can't reach at home. Many providers include professional cleaning in their service plan.
Cleaning by hearing aid style
RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) - most common
The receiver wire and dome are the vulnerable spots. Brush the dome end nightly. Replace wax guards monthly. Wash domes weekly. Check the wire for kinks or cracks. Never pull the wire forcefully - it's thin and can break. RIC domes and wax guards are user-replaceable; the wire is not (your audiologist replaces it).
BTE (Behind-the-Ear) - with earmold
The earmold can be fully detached and washed in warm soapy water weekly - let it dry completely overnight before reattaching. Check the tubing for moisture droplets (blow them out with a tubing puffer tool) and for yellowing/hardening. The hearing aid body itself is wiped with a dry cloth only - never submerge it.
ITE / CIC (In-the-Ear / Completely-in-Canal)
These sit entirely inside your ear and collect the most wax. Brush the microphone and receiver openings daily - hold the hearing aid with the openings facing downward so debris falls out rather than in. Replace wax guards frequently. Use the wax pick gently on the sound bore. These are the most wax-sensitive style because everything is inside the ear canal.
Never do thisThe do's and don'ts of hearing aid care
- Clean daily with a soft, dry cloth
- Store in a drying case every night
- Replace wax guards every 2-4 weeks
- Handle over a soft surface (towel, bed)
- Wash detachable domes in mild soap
- Keep away from heat, pets, and children
- Remove before showering or swimming
- Submerge the hearing aid in water
- Use alcohol, baby wipes, or chemicals
- Use a hair dryer to dry hearing aids
- Wear in shower, sauna, or pool
- Leave in direct sunlight or hot car
- Use sharp objects to clean openings
- Spray hairspray or perfume while wearing
Quick fixes for common problems
"My hearing aid sounds muffled." → Replace the wax guard. 9 times out of 10, this fixes it. If not, check that the dome isn't packed with wax and that the microphone port is clear.
"My hearing aid is whistling." → Check the dome - it may be worn, cracked, or the wrong size. A loose dome causes sound to leak out and re-enter the microphone, creating feedback. Full feedback fix guide →
"My hearing aid won't charge." → Clean the charging contacts on both the hearing aid and the charger with a dry cloth. Debris on the contacts is the #1 cause of charging failure.
"My hearing aid died early today." → Check for excessive moisture (use a drying case), dirty contacts, or a firmware update pending in the app. If battery life has dropped significantly, the rechargeable battery may need professional replacement (typically after 4-5 years).
"Sound cuts in and out." → Check the wire (RIC) or tubing (BTE) for damage. A kinked wire or cracked tube interrupts the signal path. Your audiologist can replace these quickly.
Hearing aid care - quick answers
How often should you clean hearing aids?
Daily - a 5-minute wipe and brush every night. Weekly - a 10-minute deep clean with dome wash and wax pick. Monthly - replace wax guards. Every 1-3 months - replace domes. Every 6 months - professional cleaning. This routine prevents 90% of hearing aid problems and extends lifespan by 1-2 years.
Can you use water to clean hearing aids?
Never submerge the electronic hearing aid in water. Detachable silicone domes and earmolds can be washed in warm water with mild soap, then dried completely before reattaching. The hearing aid body, microphones, and receiver are dry-clean only - soft cloth and brush.
What is the #1 cause of hearing aid failure?
Earwax buildup. Wax clogs the receiver, blocks microphone ports, and damages internal components. The #2 cause is moisture. Both are preventable with a 5-minute daily cleaning routine and overnight dry storage.
How long do hearing aids last?
With proper care: 5-7 years. Without regular cleaning: 3-4 years. Proper maintenance extends lifespan by 1-2 years and saves $5,000-$10,000 in premature replacement costs over a decade. See our upgrade guide →
Can I shower with IP68 hearing aids?
No - IP68 means they'll survive accidental splashes, rain, and sweat, not deliberate water exposure. Remove hearing aids before showering, swimming, or entering a sauna. Use a drying case nightly even with IP68-rated devices.
How often should wax guards be replaced?
Every 2-4 weeks, or whenever sound becomes muffled. Wax guards are designed to be replaced, not cleaned. Each brand uses its own wax guard system. Cost: $8-$15 per pack of 8-16 filters - one of the cheapest investments in hearing aid longevity.
5 minutes a night. 10 minutes a week. That's all it takes to keep your hearing aids performing at their best - and to avoid paying thousands in preventable repairs and early replacements. Your ears did the hard part. Take care of the device that takes care of them.
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