Cleaning Your Behind the Ear Device

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Cleaning Your Hearing Aids: Easy. Effective. Quick.    

Got a couple minutes? That’s about all it takes for a little DIY to help keep your hearing aids working their best. Cleaning’s a big part of that. So whether you have receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), or in-the-ear (ITE) hearing technology, the Clearly Hearing Wellness Program has you covered.

How to Clean Behind-the-Ear Devices  

  1. Open the battery door to remove your disposable batteries, and wipe them with a soft cloth. Your cleaning tool has a convenient magnet at one end to make removing the battery a cinch. If you have rechargeable devices, you can skip this step.
  2. Some earmolds have a vent hole. Clean it by inserting a vent-cleaning tool all the way through, removing any debris.
  3. Using a wire pick, remove any debris from the earmold opening. If earwax has moved too far into the tube to reach it, avoid inserting anything into the tube. Instead, contact your hearing care provider to check the tubing and, if needed, to replace it. 
  4. Using a hearing aid brush, gently remove any debris around the volume lever and on any buttons.
  5. Gently brush out the battery compartment. This may not apply to rechargeable devices.
  6. Wipe the entire device with a soft cloth, and use a wet wipe on the earmold. When you opt to use wet wipes, use only those provided in your cleaning kit or other wipes made for hearing aids, and be sure to avoid the painted portion of your hearing device — the part that sits behind your ear. Wipes and solutions not made for hearing aids can damage your device.
  7. Overnight, leave the battery compartment open — with the batteries out — to help remove moisture and preserve battery life. This may not apply to rechargeable devices. Using the drying cup and drying capsules — or a hearing aid dehumidifier — is also effective in removing moisture from your device.