Hearing Aid Cleaning & Maintenance
Hearing aids perform best when they are cleaned regularly and maintained correctly. At Hearing Solutions, every hearing aid purchase includes a maintenance kit and access to free professional cleaning at any of our 20 Ontario locations. Whether you are caring for your devices at home or bringing them in for a professional clean, this page covers everything you need to know.
Why Hearing Aid Maintenance Matters
Hearing aids are among the most advanced wearable technology available and among the most exposed. Worn daily in and around the ear, they operate in an environment where earwax, moisture, skin oils, and dust accumulate constantly. Over time, this buildup is the leading cause of reduced performance, malfunction, and avoidable repair visits.
The good news is that most hearing aid problems are preventable. A consistent cleaning routine combined with periodic professional maintenance keeps your devices performing at the level your audiogram requires and protects the investment you have made in your hearing.
What happens when hearing aids are not maintained:
- Earwax is the number one cause of hearing aid repair visits and in most cases, it is entirely preventable with regular cleaning
- Moisture from sweat, humidity, and rain accumulates inside the device and can damage internal components over time
- Debris blocking the microphone or sound outlet causes muffled sound, reduced volume, or feedback
- A neglected hearing aid has a significantly shorter lifespan than one that is cleaned and serviced regularly
- Inconsistent maintenance leads to inconsistent sound, meaning you are not hearing at the level your devices are capable of
Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning at Hearing Solutions
If your hearing aids were purchased through Hearing Solutions, professional cleaning is available at no charge at any of our 20 Ontario locations. This is part of the ongoing care that comes standard with every purchase.
Bringing your devices in for a professional clean goes beyond what at-home care can achieve. Our clinicians use specialized tools to inspect and service every component of your hearing aid, catching potential issues before they become problems.
What professional cleaning includes:
- Thorough removal of earwax and debris from all components including areas that are difficult to reach at home
- Inspection of tubing, domes, wax guards, and microphone ports for wear or blockage
- Moisture check and drying treatment where needed
- Full functionality check including volume levels, program switching, and Bluetooth connectivity if applicable
- Wax guard replacement where required
- Assessment of physical condition. Your clinician will flag any components that may need replacing soon
How often should you come in?
Every 3 to 6 months is recommended for most patients. If you notice a change in sound quality, volume, or comfort before that do not wait. Most issues caught early are quick to resolve in clinic.
Your Hearing Aid Maintenance Kit
Every hearing aid purchased at Hearing Solutions comes with a maintenance kit to support at-home care between professional cleaning appointments. Your clinician will walk you through how to use each tool at your fitting.
Your kit includes a cleaning brush, wax pick, wax guards, and a storage case – everything you need to keep your devices clean and performing between clinic visits.
Kit contents may vary slightly depending on the hearing aid model you purchase. Your clinician will confirm what is included at your fitting.
At Home Hearing Aid Cleaning & Care
Good habits between professional cleaning appointments make a significant difference to how your hearing aids perform and how long they last. Here is a simple routine to follow.
Daily
- Wipe down the casing with a dry, soft cloth after removing your devices each evening
- Check the sound outlet and clear any visible wax with your wax pick if needed
- Store your devices in their case overnight away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight
- Remove your hearing aids before showering, swimming, or using hair products such as hairspray or dry shampoo
Weekly
- Clean the microphone ports with your dry cleaning brush using gentle circular motions
- Check your wax guards for buildup and replace them if blocked or heavily soiled
- Inspect your tubing or domes for cracks, discolouration, or blockages (RIC and BTE users)
- Wipe down the charging case or battery compartment with a dry cloth
Monthly
- Do a full inspection of all components — check for visible wear, damage, or discolouration
- Replace domes if they have become worn, discoloured, or misshapen
- Check battery contacts for any signs of corrosion if you use battery-powered devices
- If it has been three months or more since your last professional clean, book an appointment at your nearest Hearing Solutions location
Common Hearing Aid Problems Caused By Poor Maintenance
Most hearing aid repairs are caused by preventable issues. If your devices are not performing the way they should, the cause is often straightforward and in many cases, something you can address at home or resolve quickly in clinic.
Muffled or Reduced Sound
Usually caused by a blocked wax guard or debris in the sound outlet. Check your wax guard first. If it is visibly blocked, replace it. If sound is still muffled after replacing the wax guard, bring your devices in.
Feedback or Whistling
Often caused by a damaged or worn dome, a poor physical fit, or debris near the microphone port. Check the dome for tears or deformation and replace if needed.
Discomfort or Irritation
Usually a worn or dirty dome that needs replacing. Domes should be inspected weekly and replaced monthly or sooner if they show signs of wear.
Intermittent Sound
Typically caused by moisture inside the device or corroded battery contacts. Store devices in a dry case overnight and check battery contacts for discolouration or buildup.
Device Not Turning On
Can indicate moisture damage to internal components or blocked charging contacts. Wipe down the charging contacts and case, and allow the device to dry fully before trying again. If the problem persists, bring it in.
Short Battery Life
Often related to moisture affecting battery performance, or a dirty charging case preventing a full charge. Clean the charging contacts and case regularly.
If any of these sound familiar, bring your hearing aids in to your nearest Hearing Solutions location. Most issues like these are resolved quickly at no charge for our patients.
When to Bring Your Hearing Aids Into the Clinic
Your maintenance kit handles day-to-day care well. But some issues are better resolved with professional tools and a trained clinician. If you notice any of the following, bring your devices in to your nearest Hearing Solutions location:
- Sound quality has noticeably decreased despite cleaning at home
- You are experiencing feedback or whistling that was not there before
- Your device is cutting in and out intermittently
- There is visible damage to the casing, tubing, or dome
- Your device has been exposed to water or significant moisture
- It has been more than 6 months since your last professional cleaning
- Your annual hearing assessment is due – combine both visits in one appointment
For patients who purchased through Hearing Solutions, professional cleaning is included at no charge. There is no reason to put it off.
Get Started
By booking your hearing test with a trusted hearing healthcare professional, you are taking the first and most important step on a journey that will reintroduce you to the world of sound and the joys of communication
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FAQ's
Every 3 to 6 months is recommended for most patients. If you wear your devices daily or work in a dusty or humid environment, more frequent cleaning may be beneficial.
Yes. Professional cleaning is included at no charge for patients who purchased their hearing aids through Hearing Solutions. Visit any of our 20 Ontario locations.
Yes. Every hearing aid purchase from Hearing Solutions includes a maintenance kit with the tools needed for daily and weekly at-home care. Your clinician will walk you through how to use it at your fitting appointment.
Remove it from water immediately, open the battery door if applicable, wipe it dry with a soft cloth, and place it in a drying capsule overnight. Do not use a hairdryer or microwave. If performance is still affected after drying, bring it in for a professional assessment.
Replace the wax guard when it is visibly blocked with wax, when sound becomes muffled despite cleaning, or approximately once a month as a preventative measure.
Your kit includes a cleaning brush, wax pick, wax guards, and a storage case. Exact contents may vary by model and your clinician will confirm what is included at your fitting.
