Your hearing aid is basically doing overtime every single day, picking up speech, filtering noise, helping you catch things you’d otherwise miss. But like anything electronic that sits on your body for twelve-plus hours, it needs a bit of looking after.
The good news is that most of this care isn’t complicated. It’s small daily habits, not some big maintenance project. Earwax, sweat, dust, dropping it on the bathroom counter, these are the things that actually cause problems, and they’re all fairly avoidable once you know what to watch for.
Spend two minutes a day on this and you’ll dodge most of the common issues. And honestly, once you get familiar with your own device, you’ll start noticing when something’s off before it turns into a real problem.
Because inside that tiny device is a microphone, a speaker, a receiver, and a bunch of electronics that really don’t like earwax, moisture or dirt. Keep that stuff away and you’ll get clearer sound and fewer surprises.
There’s also the money side of it. A hearing aid that’s cleaned properly and stored somewhere sensible is far less likely to need a repair caused by, honestly, avoidable stuff, gunk build-up, a splash of water, that kind of thing.
One thing worth saying clearly, though. Cleaning it yourself is not a substitute for a proper check-up. If something’s genuinely wrong, no amount of wiping it down is going to fix that.
Depends a bit on your specific model, so check what the manufacturer says. But as a general rule, start by giving the outside a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth. If there’s a removable dome, earmould or wax filter, take a look and see if there’s any visible buildup.
And here’s the big one, never run it under a tap. Ever. Don’t reach for alcohol or household cleaning sprays either, unless the manufacturer has specifically told you it’s fine for your model. Liquid finding its way into the tiny openings around the microphone is basically how hearing aids die.
If you’ve got a behind-the-ear or receiver-in-canal model, pay extra attention to the bit that actually sits in or near your ear canal. Any visible wax or gunk, deal with it using the removable parts as instructed, not by poking something sharp into the device. That’s how you make a small problem much bigger.
Somewhere clean, dry, and in the case they came with. Keep that case out of direct sun, away from heat, away from damp spots, and somewhere it’s not going to get knocked off a shelf.
If you’ve got kids or pets around, keep the devices, batteries, and any small parts well out of reach. Small button batteries in particular are genuinely dangerous if swallowed, so this one isn’t just about protecting the device.
Disposable battery users, follow whatever storage guidance came with your batteries. If you’re on rechargeable devices, pop them in the charging station the way you’re meant to when they’re not in your ears. Simple habit, easy to forget, worth building in.
Different rules depending on disposable or rechargeable.
For disposable batteries, leave them in their original packaging until you actually need them. Do not carry loose batteries around in a pocket with coins or keys. Metal touching the battery contacts can cause a short circuit, which is more annoying and occasionally more dangerous than people realise.
When you swap in a fresh one, make sure the battery compartment itself is clean and dry first. If you spot corrosion, leakage, or the battery’s just behaving strangely, stop using it and follow whatever safety steps the manufacturer lists. Don’t try to push through it.
Rechargeable users, stick to the charger that came with the device or one the manufacturer approves. Keep the charging contacts clean and double-check the hearing aid is actually sitting correctly in the charger, it’s easy to think it’s charging when it’s just perched at a slight angle doing nothing.
A quick daily wipe handles surface moisture and everyday grime. Nothing fancy, just a soft cloth, thirty seconds, done.
A proper inspection, a few times a week is reasonable, more if you produce a lot of earwax or sweat a lot. Wax filters, domes, and other small removable bits will eventually need swapping out once they’re blocked or damaged. Exactly how often varies by model and by person, there’s no single fixed number.
If the sound suddenly drops even though the battery’s fine, check the microphone opening, speaker, and wax filter for a blockage first. If cleaning doesn’t bring it back, that’s your cue to get it looked at professionally rather than keep fiddling with it.
Handle them with clean, dry hands. Try not to drop them, obviously, but it happens, so be mindful around hard floors and sinks. When you’re putting them in or taking them out, hold the actual body of the device rather than yanking on tubing or wires.
Don’t store them in the bathroom. I know it’s convenient, it’s right there by the mirror, but the humidity from showers and running taps does them no favours over time. Same goes for leaving them in a hot car, or near a radiator, oven or any other heat source.
And please don’t try to open one up and fix it yourself if something’s wrong inside. The internal parts are genuinely delicate, and a well-meaning repair attempt usually turns a fixable issue into an expensive one.
Yes, more than people expect. It builds up right around the part that sits in or near your ear, and once it blocks the sound outlet, microphone, or wax filter, things start sounding muffled or just quieter overall.
Cleaning the removable parts regularly keeps most of this under control. But if the wax buildup is actually in your ear canal itself, that’s a job for a healthcare professional, not a cotton bud. Please don’t go digging around in there with anything pointed, you’ll likely just push the wax further in.
If the sound’s still weak or distorted after you’ve cleaned everything and checked the battery, that’s your sign. Same goes for repeated feedback, the device cutting in and out, charging that’s stopped working properly, visible damage, or any sound that just seems wrong.
A hearing care professional has the equipment and know-how to clean the parts you can’t safely get to yourself, and to spot whether something needs adjusting or repairing. Regular check-ins are also worth it simply because your hearing itself can shift over time, and the settings should shift with it.
Doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s roughly what it can look like.
Every morning or night, wipe the device down with a dry cloth and glance at the sound outlet and microphone for anything visible. Check the battery or charge level before you put them in for the day.
At night, store them properly, case, charger, drying system, whatever your routine involves. Once a week, take a closer look at the removable bits, domes, earmoulds, filters, and swap anything that’s clearly had enough.
Stick with it and most of the avoidable problems just… don’t happen. It really is that simple once it becomes second nature.
Auritron Tech focuses on providing reliable hearing aid solutions designed around everyday hearing needs. With a range of hearing aid options and a focus on quality, technology, and user comfort, Auritron Tech can help you find a device suited to your hearing requirements and lifestyle. Whether you need guidance on selecting a hearing aid, understanding its features, or maintaining your device, the team can provide practical support throughout your hearing care journey
Taking care of your hearing aids doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits, such as keeping them clean and dry, storing them properly, handling batteries carefully, and checking for wax buildup, can help maintain their performance and reduce avoidable problems. If you notice ongoing sound issues, damage, or charging problems, getting professional assistance is the safer option. With consistent care and timely servicing, your hearing aids can continue supporting clear and comfortable hearing for longer.
Wipe them daily with a soft, dry cloth, keep them away from moisture and heat, store them properly, and swap out batteries or filters when they need it. Beyond that, just follow whatever specific instructions came with your model.
No, not under running water. Water getting into the small openings can damage the electronics inside. Stick to dry cleaning or whatever method the manufacturer actually recommends for your device.
A daily wipe is good practice for removing surface moisture and grime. Do a more thorough check a few times a week, and replace wax filters, domes or other removable parts once they’re worn out or clogged.
Better not to, unless your specific model is rated for water exposure. And even the water-resistant ones have limits, so don’t assume, check what your manufacturer actually says.
Could be a blocked wax filter or sound outlet, a low battery, some leftover moisture, or a genuine fault with the device. Check what you can clean safely and confirm the battery’s charged. Still weak after that, get it professionally looked at.
In a clean, dry case, or on the charging and drying system your manufacturer recommends. Keep it away from heat, damp, direct sunlight, and definitely away from kids and pets.
Varies a fair bit, depends on the model, how much you use it, the environment you’re in, and how well you maintain it. Good habits, regular cleaning, careful handling, keeping moisture away, timely servicing, all add real years to the device.
Ready to hear better? Visit our store or schedule hearing test with our experts. Auritron Tech is committed to helping you or your loved ones regain the joy of hearing with care and compassion.