Getting a hearing aid fitted is one thing. Getting the most from it over the years is another. How clearly your aids perform, how long they last and how often you need repairs comes down largely to one thing: daily care. This guide covers what you need to know to keep your hearing aids working properly, written plainly, without the jargon.
If you are still at the stage of wondering whether you need hearing aids at all, a free home hearing test with Hear Better is a good place to start.
Why Hearing Aid Maintenance Matters
Hearing aids are small, precise pieces of technology. They sit in or behind your ear all day, exposed to earwax, moisture, dust and the general wear of daily life. Neglect them and you will notice the difference quickly: sound becomes muffled, feedback increases, batteries drain faster and repairs become necessary more often.
The good news is that proper hearing aid care is simple and takes only a few minutes each day. A consistent routine prevents most problems before they start, keeps your aids sounding clear and extends their working life considerably.
Daily Cleaning: What to Do and What to Avoid
Your hearing aids pick up earwax, dead skin cells, dust and moisture every day. Cleaning them properly removes these deposits without damaging the components inside.
What to do each evening:
Wipe the exterior casing with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. This removes surface debris and any moisture that has built up through the day.
If your aids have a wax guard, a small mesh filter that protects the speaker, check it daily. Replace it when it looks discoloured or blocked. Most aids come with spare wax guards; ask your audiologist for extras at your next appointment.
Use a soft brush or the cleaning tool your audiologist gave you to gently clear earwax from the microphone ports (the small holes on the side of the aid). Wax buildup here is the most common cause of weak or muffled sound.
If your aids have a receiver tube, the thin tube that fits into the ear canal, use the brush to clear wax from the opening. This is where wax most often collects.
What to avoid:
Never use cotton buds. They shed fibres inside the aid and can cause damage to the components.
Never use water. Hearing aids are not waterproof. Even a small amount of water inside the casing can damage the electronics.
Never use solvents, cleaning sprays, alcohol or oils. These corrode the circuitry.
Never blow compressed air into the aid. You risk pushing wax deeper rather than clearing it.
If wax is deeply impacted in your ears and you are finding it difficult to keep the aids clean, it may be worth considering professional ear wax removal at home. Removing the source of the problem makes ongoing hearing aid maintenance much easier.
Hearing Aid Batteries: Getting the Longest Life
Most hearing aids use disposable zinc-air batteries, though some newer models have built-in rechargeable batteries. The care approach differs slightly for each.
Disposable zinc-air batteries:
Zinc-air batteries activate when you peel off the adhesive tab on the back. Once removed, do not try to re-stick it, the battery begins draining immediately once exposed to air.
After removing the tab, wait around 60 seconds before inserting the battery into the aid. This gives the zinc-air chemistry time to activate fully, which extends battery life.
Store spare batteries at room temperature in a dry place. Heat and humidity both reduce battery life. Keep them away from metal objects, coins, keys, that could short-circuit them.
Battery life varies by size, model and how much you use your aids. Smaller batteries (size 10) may last 3 to 5 days; larger ones (size 13 or 312) can last up to 10 days. Most aids signal when the battery is low with a short beep or tone. When you hear that, you typically have an hour or so left, enough warning to change the battery before going out.
Rechargeable hearing aids:
If your aids use built-in rechargeable batteries, charge them each night in the dock your audiologist provided. Most modern rechargeable aids offer around 24 hours of use on a full charge.
Unlike older battery technology, modern lithium batteries do not need to be fully drained before recharging. Charge them regularly and they will perform better for longer.
Keep the charging dock in a cool, dry place. Remove the aids once they are fully charged rather than leaving them in the dock indefinitely.
Storing Your Hearing Aids Properly
How you store your aids when you are not wearing them matters as much as how you clean them.
Keep them in a dry place at room temperature. A bedside table works well. A steamy bathroom does not.
Many people use a desiccant pot, a small container with moisture-absorbing crystals, for overnight storage. These pull moisture from the aids while you sleep and are worth using if you live in a humid environment or if your aids frequently get damp. Replace the crystals when they change colour; that means they have absorbed as much moisture as they can hold.
When carrying your aids in a bag or pocket, use a protective case. This guards against drops, pressure and accidental damage.
Avoid leaving your aids anywhere hot: car dashboards in summer, on top of radiators, in direct sunlight. Heat damages electronics and shortens battery life.
Always remove your aids before showering, bathing or swimming, even if your model is described as water-resistant. Water-resistant means they can handle light splashes; it does not mean submersion or prolonged moisture exposure.
Common Hearing Aid Problems and How to Fix Them
Most issues people encounter with hearing aids have straightforward fixes you can try at home before calling your audiologist.
Weak or no sound
Check the battery first. If you have just inserted a new battery and there is still no sound, check it is in correctly, the positive side up, the tab fully removed.
Check the wax guard. If it is blocked, replace it.
Check you have not turned the volume down accidentally.
If the aid is still silent, the receiver tube may be blocked with wax. Clear it with your brush tool.
If none of these steps restore the sound, contact your audiologist.
Feedback and whistling
A high-pitched whistle almost always means the aid is not seated properly in the ear. Remove it, reinsert it carefully and ensure it is sitting fully in position.
Also check for wax or debris preventing a good seal.
If the feedback is persistent despite correct insertion, the aid may have developed a small internal leak that your audiologist can reseal.
Muffled or distorted sound
This is earwax in most cases. Check the receiver tube and wax guard and clean both. If the sound remains muffled, book an appointment for professional ear wax removal.
If your hearing has genuinely changed rather than just your aids becoming blocked, it may be worth having a follow-up hearing assessment. Hearing can shift gradually over time, and your aids may need reprogramming to match your current level.
The aid keeps falling out
Hearing aids can loosen their fit over time, especially if your weight has changed or the aid's dome or mould has worn down. Your audiologist can replace the dome or, if you have a custom mould, assess whether a new impression is needed.
If you think a better-fitting option might suit you, custom ear mould impressions offer a precisely fitted alternative to standard domes.
When to See Your Audiologist
A few minutes of daily maintenance goes a long way, but there are times when professional attention is the right call.
Book an appointment if:
- Sound quality has changed noticeably despite cleaning and fresh batteries
- The aid produces persistent feedback that correct fitting does not resolve
- The casing, tubing or receiver appears cracked or damaged
- Your fit has changed and the aid is no longer sitting securely
- It has been more than a year since your aids were checked and cleaned professionally
Hear Better offers private mobile audiology appointments across the North East, meaning your audiologist comes to you. If your aids need a professional check, cleaning or assessment, there is no need to travel to a clinic.
Hearing Aid Lifespan: What to Expect
With good care, most hearing aids last between five and seven years. Some people get longer from theirs; others find performance drops before that. It depends on the model, how often the aids are worn and how well they have been maintained.
Signs that your aids may be approaching the end of their useful life:
- Repairs are becoming more frequent
- Even after servicing, sound quality is inconsistent
- The technology is significantly outdated compared to what is now available
Hearing aids have improved considerably in recent years. If your aids are older than five years, it may be worth having a conversation with your audiologist about whether an upgrade would benefit you, not as a sales pitch, but as a genuine assessment of whether better technology would make a meaningful difference to your daily life.
A Simple Daily Routine
You do not need an elaborate system to look after your hearing aids properly. Most people settle into a short routine at the end of the day:
- Remove the aids before showering or bathing
- Wipe both aids with a dry cloth
- Check and clear the wax guards and receiver tubes with the brush
- Open the battery doors (or place rechargeable aids in the dock)
- Store the aids in a dry case or desiccant pot overnight
Five minutes, consistently, makes a significant difference to how well your aids perform and how long they last.
If you have questions about caring for a specific model, or if you would like a professional check on your aids, Hear Better's HCPC-registered audiologist can visit you at home across the North East. Get in touch to arrange an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my hearing aids?
Ideally every day. A quick wipe with a dry cloth and a check of the wax guard each evening is enough for routine maintenance. A more thorough clean of the tubing and microphone ports should be done at least a few times a week.
Can I use water to clean my hearing aids?
No. Water can damage the internal electronics. Use a dry lint-free cloth and the dry brush tool provided by your audiologist. Never rinse or soak the aids.
How do I know when to replace the wax guard?
Replace it when it looks discoloured, visibly blocked, or when sound quality drops despite the battery being charged. Most people replace wax guards every two to four weeks, though this varies depending on how much wax your ears produce.
What should I do if my hearing aid gets wet?
Remove the battery immediately if it is a disposable battery model. Dry the exterior gently with a soft cloth. Place the aid in a desiccant pot for at least 24 hours. Do not use a hairdryer or oven to dry it, heat will cause damage. If it still does not function correctly after drying, contact your audiologist.
How long do hearing aid batteries last?
It varies by battery size and how much the aid is used. Size 10 batteries typically last 3 to 5 days. Size 312 batteries can last around 5 to 7 days. Size 13 batteries can last up to 10 days. Streaming audio via Bluetooth shortens battery life noticeably.
Should I take my hearing aids out at night?
Yes. Removing your aids overnight gives your ears time to breathe, allows any residual moisture in the aids to dry out and extends battery life. It also reduces the risk of accidentally rolling onto and damaging the aids in bed.