Hearing Aid Care

Hearing Aid Aftercare: Cleaning, Maintenance and Common Problems

September 15, 2026

Karis Simms

Buying the right hearing aids is only half the job. Getting the most out of them, for as long as possible, comes down to how well you look after them day to day. This guide walks through a simple daily and weekly cleaning routine, how to store and maintain your devices, and how to troubleshoot the most common hearing aid problems before they become bigger issues.

daily wipe-downs recommended (morning & evening)

weekly check of wax guards, domes & microphones

24/7

live chat support from Wholesale Hearing

Why Hearing Aid Care Matters

Hearing aids sit in one of the warmest, most moisture-prone parts of the body for most of the day, so it is no surprise that earwax, skin oils and condensation are the biggest causes of everyday device problems. A consistent aftercare routine protects your investment, keeps sound quality sharp, and reduces the chance of a fault that would otherwise mean sending your devices away for repair.

Good aftercare also means fewer trips to top up on wax guards and domes, and a longer working life from your hearing aids overall.

Your Daily Cleaning Routine

Two minutes, twice a day, is usually all it takes to keep your hearing aids performing well.

Morning

Before putting your hearing aids in, give them a quick visual check. Wipe the body and any earmould or dome with a dry, soft cloth to remove any oils or residue left from overnight charging or storage.

Evening

At the end of the day, remove your hearing aids and wipe them down again. Use the brush supplied with your device to gently sweep away any visible wax or debris from the microphone ports and receiver, then open the battery door (if applicable) or place rechargeable devices on charge to allow air to circulate overnight.

Tip: Keep your cleaning brush, wax pick and any spare wax guards together in one place, such as a bedside drawer, so the daily routine becomes second nature.

Weekly Maintenance Checks

Once a week, set aside a few extra minutes to look a little closer at your devices.

Check	What to look for
Wax guards	Discolouration or visible blockage. Replace if the guard looks dark or clogged.
Domes or earmoulds	Cracking, hardening or a build-up of wax that a brush cannot shift.
Microphone ports	Fluff, dust or wax sitting in the small openings on the body of the device.
Tubing or receiver wires	Any moisture, kinks or discolouration inside clear tubing.
Batteries or charging contacts	Corrosion around battery contacts, or dust on charger pins.

Wax Guards, Domes and Receiver Wires

Wax guards are one of the simplest and most important parts to maintain. Their job is to stop earwax reaching the receiver inside your hearing aid, which is one of the most common reasons a device stops producing sound. Most wax guards should be changed every few weeks, more often if you produce a lot of earwax, and Wholesale Hearing stocks wax guards to suit the major brands we supply.

Domes and earmoulds should be replaced periodically too, as they can lose shape or stiffen with age, which affects both comfort and how securely the device sits in your ear. You can browse our full range of hearing aid domes and receiver wires online.

Avoid: Never clean any part of your hearing aid with water, alcohol wipes, household cleaning sprays or cotton buds, as fibres and moisture can push debris further into the device rather than removing it. Always use the dry brush, cloth and wax pick designed for the job.

Storage, Charging and Moisture Protection

Where and how you store your hearing aids overnight matters just as much as cleaning them. Open the battery compartment on non-rechargeable devices to let air circulate, or place rechargeable models on their charger in a stable, dry spot away from direct heat.

Moisture is one of the biggest threats to hearing aid electronics, particularly in humid weather, after exercise, or if you live somewhere with high humidity. A hearing aid dehumidifier or drying capsule, used overnight, draws out moisture that daily wear builds up and helps prevent the intermittent sound and static issues that damp devices commonly cause. If you are especially active or prone to sweating, it is also worth browsing our waterproof hearing aids. If everyday wax build-up is more of a concern, the new Phonak EON range uses EasyGuard domes, designed to seal against the receiver and keep earwax out while still letting sound through, which means less frequent cleaning and fewer blocked wax guards.

Common Hearing Aid Problems and Fixes

Most day-to-day issues fall into a handful of categories. Here is what to check before assuming a fault is serious.

Problem	Likely cause	What to try first
No sound at all	Blocked wax guard, flat battery, or device turned off	Replace the wax guard, check or replace the battery, and confirm the device is switched on and paired correctly.
Sound is muffled or weak	Partial wax blockage or dirty microphone port	Clean the microphone ports with the supplied brush and check the wax guard is not partially blocked.
Whistling or feedback	Poor fit, dirty dome, or the device being covered by a hand, hat or hood	Reseat the dome or earmould and clean it. If it persists, this may need reprogramming.
Sound cuts in and out	Moisture build-up or a loose battery or charging connection	Dry the device fully overnight and check battery contacts or charger placement.
Bluetooth or app will not connect	Device not paired correctly or app or firmware needs updating	Restart both the hearing aid and your phone, then re-pair through the manufacturer app.
Battery draining quickly	Heavy streaming use or an ageing battery or cell	Reduce Bluetooth streaming where possible and check charging habits, or replace disposable batteries.

When to Contact an Audiologist

Most of the issues above can be resolved at home with regular cleaning and a little patience. However, if a problem keeps returning after cleaning, if sound quality has changed noticeably, or if a device has been exposed to significant moisture or has been dropped, it is time to get in touch.

It is worth noting that our online tools, including our online hearing screening, are designed to help you understand your hearing better and get started with us. For your hearing aids to be accurately programmed and dispatched, we need a hearing test or audiogram completed in person by a hearing professional. Once you have this, you can send your results to our team for selection, questions and ordering, and our UK-based audiologists will use it to program your devices correctly.

Aftercare With Wholesale Hearing

We see aftercare as an ongoing part of the service, not an afterthought. Every hearing aid we supply comes with the full manufacturer's warranty from the date of purchase, and our support and aftercare service means our UK-based audiologists are on hand to help fine-tune your devices remotely if and when needed.

Our live chat is available 24/7 for any questions about cleaning, maintenance or troubleshooting, and our help centre covers common queries about your devices, accessories and orders. You can read more about the full process, from choosing a hearing aid through to remote fine-tuning, on our How It Works page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my hearing aids?

Wipe them down every morning and evening, and do a more thorough weekly check of wax guards, domes and microphone ports. Daily habits prevent most common problems before they start.

Why has my hearing aid stopped working?

The most common causes are a blocked wax guard, a flat or faulty battery, moisture inside the device, or a dirty microphone port. Working through each of these usually resolves the issue.

Can I clean my hearing aids with water?

No. Even waterproof-rated models should not be cleaned with water, alcohol or household cleaning products. Use a dry soft cloth along with the brush and wax pick supplied with your device.

How do I stop my hearing aid whistling or feeding back?

Check the dome or earmould is fitted properly and clean it first, as whistling is often caused by a poor fit or a build-up of debris. If it continues, it may need reprogramming by an audiologist.

Do Wholesale Hearing audiologists provide ongoing aftercare?

Yes. Our UK-based audiologists provide remote support and fine-tuning after your purchase, alongside 24/7 live chat and a full help centre.