How to Care for Hearing Aids

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Daily care is important to keep hearing aids working properly. The better you care for your hearing aid, the less often it will need repair or replacement.

Daily care helps:

Prevent damage
Improve sound quality
Make them last longer
Support communication, learning, and social skills

Here are general steps for routine hearing aid care. Follow the instructions you were given for your specific device. Refer to the user’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for more information.

Check the battery

Hearing aids need power to work. Hearing aid batteries may be rechargeable or disposable, depending on the model. If the sound seems weak or stops, check the battery first.

Turn hearing aids off when not in use.
Many hearing aid kits come with a battery tester. If the battery is low or not working, charge the battery or replace it with a new one right away.
For devices with rechargeable batteries: Recharge devices daily, often overnight.
For devices with disposable batteries: Replace batteries as needed. Many families change them on a regular schedule. Leaving old batteries in the hearing aid will cause corrosion, which can cause your hearing aid to stop working. It is a good idea to carry extra batteries with you because you never know when your hearing aid battery will stop working.
Turn off your hearing aid and open the battery door when it is not in use. The batteries will last longer.

Check for damage

Check all parts of the hearing aid for damage.
If you have a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, check the earmold and tubing for clogs or cracks.
If you have extra dials or switches, make sure they move and work as they should.

Clean the hearing aid

Cleaning hearing aids every day can prevent earwax and dirt from blocking sound and damaging the device.

Hearing aids usually come with cleaning kits with special tools. The items in the kit depend on the type of hearing aid. If you do not have a kit, let your care team know.

Always follow your care team’s cleaning instructions.

To clean behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids:
- Wipe down the hearing aid each day with a dry, soft cloth or soft brush that came with the hearing aid.
- Clean the small tip that sits in the ear canal with a cloth to remove buildup.
- Remove earwax and dirt with a wax loop tool. Do not push the wax loop tool in too deeply. It can damage the hearing aid.
If your earmold has a speaker inside:
- Take it off the hook. The hook is a half-moon-shaped plastic connected to the hearing aid.
- Use the loop tool to gently clean the opening.
If your earmold does not have a speaker inside:
- Clean the earmold and tubing in warm, soapy water.
- Make sure earmolds are completely dry before re-attaching them.
To clean in-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids:
- Wipe the hearing aid clean with a soft, dry cloth.
- If your care team says it is OK, put a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a hearing aid disinfectant solution on a tissue to wipe it clean.
- Remove wax with the tools that came with the hearing aid.

Check sound quality

Use a hearing-aid stethoscope to check sound quality each day. These devices may be available from your audiologist, a medical supply store, or online.

To make sure the sound is crisp and clear:

Say “oo,” “ee,” “ah,” “sh,” “s,” and “f”
Move the volume control up and down (if you have this feature)
Check for feedback (whistling). Feedback can happen if:
The hearing aid does not fit correctly.
The hearing aid is cracked or damaged.
Earwax blocks the ear canal or hearing aid.
The connection between the hearing aid, tubing, or earmold is not tight (behind-the-ear hearing aid).

Keep hearing aids dry

Moisture is the leading cause of repairs. To protect your hearing aids from water:

Take them out before bathing, swimming, or sweating.
Try not to wear them in wet weather, such as heavy rain, sleet, snow, or fog.
Avoid extremely humid areas when possible.

Some hearing aids come with a drying kit. The drying kit removes moisture from the hearing aid. Ask your care team when to use it.

Store hearing aids properly

Store your hearing aids safely by keeping them:

In a clean, dry case when not in use
Away from heat and direct sunlight
Out of reach of small children and pets
Away from moisture or humidity

Keep hearing aid batteries away from children and pets.

Batteries are small and can be dangerous if swallowed.

If you think a child has swallowed a battery (or put it in their nose or ear), get emergency help right away. In the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911.

If you think a pet swallowed a battery, call a veterinarian right away. In the U.S., you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. (Fees may apply).

Other tips for hearing aid care

Keep a hearing aid case with you. Do not leave your hearing aid unprotected in a purse or backpack. This could damage the hearing aid.
Change the battery and do other hearing aid care over a towel, on a table, or over a bed. This will cushion the fall if you drop the hearing aid. It will also help you find the battery if you drop it.
Do not leave your hearing aid in a car or other place where it can be in extreme temperatures.
Do not apply products such as hairspray, perfume, cologne, bath powder, after-shave, makeup, or shaving cream while wearing hearing aids. These products contain chemicals and residue that can build up and damage the hearing aid.
Check clothes pockets before doing laundry. Hearing aids placed in a pocket are often washed.

Talk to your audiologist if you have questions about how to care for your hearing aid, need your hearing aid checked, or if your hearing aid is damaged.

Help your child build habits for hearing aid care

A daily routine helps children adjust to wearing hearing aids. To support speech and language development each day:

Put hearing aids on in the morning.
Take them off at bedtime.
Clean and store them in a safe place.

Teach your child how to take care of their hearing aids. As your child grows, teach age-appropriate skills such as how to:

Clean their hearing aids
Change or charge the batteries
Store them safely

Building these habits helps children feel confident and responsible for their own care.

Questions to ask your care team

How can I find more information on caring for my specific device?
What are the most important daily care steps for my type of hearing aid?
Which parts of the hearing aid should I clean each day?
How can I tell if earwax or moisture is affecting my hearing aid?
Should my child wear their hearing aid all day?
Does the hearing aid need to be removed for showering or swimming?
How often should I change batteries or charge the device?
Should I let my child's school and teachers know that my child wears hearing aids?
How can I protect the hearing aid during sports or physical activity?
Who should I contact for troubleshooting or repairs (for example, whistling, distortion, or physical damage)?
Who do I contact if a hearing aid is lost?
How often does my hearing aid need to be checked by a professional?

Key points about how to care for your hearing aids

Clean and maintain your hearing aids daily to keep them working properly.
Always follow the instructions for your specific hearing aid type and model.
Keep hearing aids dry. Avoid water, sweat, shower steam, and high humidity. Use a drying kit if you have one.
Check batteries regularly, replace or charge weak batteries right away, and keep all batteries away from children and pets.
Check for damage (cracks, loose parts, clogged tubing), and contact your audiologist if you notice any problems.
Do not push cleaning tools (like a wax loop) too far into openings, as this can push debris deeper and damage the device.
Teach your child how to build a routine and care for their hearing aids.
Contact your audiologist if you have questions or concerns about hearing aid care.

—
Reviewed: June 2026

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