Taking care of your hearing aids not only extends their lifespan, it also protects your ear health. Since the pandemic, hearing aid hygiene has become an essential part of every user’s daily routine. That’s why knowing the best cleaning protocol—aligned with current health regulations—is key to keeping your devices in perfect condition.
The hearing aid cleaning protocol we present here combines professional recommendations, safe products, and simple steps you can follow at home, along with the disinfection guidelines applied by specialists in the clinic.
🔹 Why hearing aid hygiene post-COVID matters
After the health crisis, we learned that hearing aids are devices that stay in direct contact with the skin, earwax, and often humidity. All of this creates an environment where bacteria and fungi can accumulate if the devices are not cleaned properly.
A proper hearing aid cleaning and disinfection routine helps prevent outer-ear infections, avoids unpleasant odors, improves sound quality, and extends the device’s lifespan. In addition, European Regulation (EU) 2017/745 classifies hearing aids as reusable medical devices, meaning proper hygiene is part of responsible and safe use.
🔹 Difference between daily patient cleaning and professional disinfection
Not all cleaning is the same. Daily patient cleaning focuses on removing visible residue, moisture, and earwax from the external parts of the hearing aid. It’s quick and easy, and you can do it at home with the right products.
Professional disinfection, on the other hand, is performed in the clinic. It uses products approved for medical use (see the Spanish Ministry of Health protocol) and is carried out periodically or whenever the device is loaned, repaired, or transferred to another user.
Both processes are essential: daily cleaning ensures everyday hygiene, while professional disinfection guarantees long-term safety.
Audyum tip
Create an “Cleaning / Check-up” event in your agenda so you never forget these tasks when scheduling patient appointments.
🔹 Hearing aid cleaning protocol for patients
Below are the steps of the hearing aid cleaning protocol recommended by experts for at-home care.
You can follow this routine daily or at least three times per week.
Step 1: Wash your hands first
Before handling your hearing aids, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitizer. This simple step prevents microorganisms from transferring to the device or ear canal.
Step 2: Clean the exterior with a proper cloth
Use a dry microfiber cloth or one slightly dampened with a hearing aid–specific cleaner. Avoid alcohol or household cleaning products, as they may damage electronic components.
Step 3: Clean the earmold or dome
If your hearing aids use a mold or dome, detach the soft piece and clean it with a non-alcohol disinfectant wipe. Let it dry completely before reattaching it.
Step 4: Check filters and domes
Wax filters and domes should be checked weekly. Replace them if you notice wax buildup or sound loss. Keeping them in good condition prevents breakdowns and improves sound quality.
Step 5: Store them correctly
Store your hearing aids in their ventilated case or in a nighttime dehumidifier. Never leave them in the bathroom or under direct sunlight. Moisture is the main enemy of electronic circuits.
🔹 Professional disinfection protocol in the clinic
Professional hearing aid disinfection complements the cleaning that patients perform at home. It is a deeper, controlled process that ensures the device remains free from microorganisms and residue that regular cleaning cannot remove.
Recommended frequency
Specialists recommend professional cleaning and disinfection every three to four months, depending on usage and environment. In humid areas or for users who wear their devices many hours per day, shorter intervals may be needed.
Products approved for medical use
Clinics use disinfectants certified under European medical device regulations (Regulation (EU) 2017/745). These formulas eliminate bacteria and fungi without damaging hearing aid materials or altering performance.
Cleaning custom molds
Custom earmolds are disassembled and immersed in specialized solutions approved for hearing devices. They are then rinsed with distilled water and carefully dried. This step is key to ensuring user safety.
Disinfection of loaned hearing aids
When a device is loaned or repaired, it must undergo a full disinfection cycle before being handed to another user. This ensures traceability and compliance with the Spanish Ministry of Health’s hygiene regulations.
🔹 Recommended products (and those you should NEVER use)
✅ Safe products
- Alcohol-free disinfectant wipes formulated for hearing aids.
- Water-based antibacterial cleaning sprays.
- Nighttime dehumidifying capsules or containers.
These products maintain hygiene without harming the materials or electronics.
❌ Products that damage hearing aids
Avoid alcohol, ammonia, bleach, vinegar, cosmetic wipes, and household multipurpose sprays. All of them can deteriorate the shell, filters, or microphones.
🔹 Cleaning based on mold type
Silicone molds
Flexible but more prone to collecting dust and wax. Clean every two days with a dry cloth and disinfect weekly.
Acrylic molds
More resistant and easier to maintain. A superficial clean and an alcohol-free wipe once or twice a week are usually enough.
Universal domes
Because they sit inside the ear canal, they require special attention. Replace them monthly and gently clean the edges to prevent blockages.
🔹 Automate maintenance follow-ups with Audyum
Cleaning is far more effective when it becomes a routine. The Audyum CRM allows clinics to automate maintenance reminders, send SMS notifications to patients, and record every action in the serial-number history.
- Create “Cleaning check-up” events for each patient.
- Configure personalized automatic reminders.
- Review the full history of each device linked to its serial number.
This ensures complete traceability, regulatory compliance, and a superior care experience.
🔹 Consequences of poor hygiene
Skipping cleaning may seem harmless, but the effects appear quickly:
- Outer ear infections caused by accumulated bacteria or fungi.
- Premature deterioration of the device due to moisture or wax.
- Sound problems and feedback caused by clogged filters or microphones.
A consistent, professional cleaning routine is the best investment for your hearing health.
Automate your maintenance reminders with Audyum and forget about manual tasks.
With the Audyum CRM, you can create specific agenda events such as “Cleaning review”, and schedule automatic reminders for both patients and professionals.
You can also send SMS or email alerts with personalized reminders, ensuring consistent and professional follow-up.
Optimize your team’s time, improve patient satisfaction, and keep your hearing aids in perfect condition.
👉 Discover how Audyum’s serial-number management works and take advantage of the Digital Kit to digitize your clinic’s maintenance process.