Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When Cleaning Hearing Aid Domes
Properly caring for your hearing aids is essential for getting the best performance and extending their lifespan. Since the dome is the part that sits inside your ear canal, it’s the first line of defense against earwax and debris. Keeping it clean is crucial, but many people make simple mistakes that can cause damage or reduce sound quality.
Mistake 1: Using Water, Alcohol, or Household Cleaners
It might seem logical to use water or a cleaning solution to get your hearing aid domes perfectly clean, but this is one of the most damaging things you can do. Your hearing aids are sophisticated electronic devices, and moisture is their biggest enemy.
Why This Is a Problem: The hearing aid dome sits directly on the receiver, which is the tiny speaker that delivers sound into your ear. Even a small amount of moisture can travel from the dome to the receiver, causing corrosion and permanent damage to the delicate internal components. This can lead to distorted sound, intermittent function, or complete failure of the device.
Similarly, harsh chemicals found in rubbing alcohol, disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaners can be destructive. These substances can break down the soft, medical-grade silicone that the domes are made from. Over time, this can cause the domes to become stiff, brittle, discolored, or even crack, making them uncomfortable to wear and less effective at creating a proper seal in your ear.
The Correct Method: The golden rule is to always use dry cleaning methods. Your primary tool should be a soft, dry cloth for wiping the surface of the dome. For more stubborn earwax, use the specialized tools that came with your hearing aids, such as a small brush or a wax pick/loop. These tools are designed to gently remove debris without introducing moisture or damaging the device.
Mistake 2: Pushing Debris Further Into the Device
When you see a piece of wax blocking the opening of your hearing aid dome, your first instinct might be to poke it out. However, without the proper technique, you are more likely to push the blockage further into the sound port, making the problem much worse.
Why This Is a Problem: The sound from your hearing aid travels through a very narrow opening in the receiver, which is often protected by a tiny white filter called a wax guard. If you accidentally push earwax or debris through the dome’s opening, it will get stuck against this wax guard. A clogged wax guard completely blocks sound, making you think your hearing aid is broken. While wax guards are replaceable, pushing debris into them can make them much harder to remove and can potentially damage the receiver itself.
The Correct Method: Always clean with the dome facing downwards. This allows gravity to help you, ensuring that any dislodged debris falls out of the dome, not into it. When using a hearing aid brush, always brush away from the opening of the dome. If you need to use a wax pick, use a gentle scooping motion to pull the debris out and away from the port. Never poke directly into the opening. By being mindful of the direction you are cleaning, you can effectively clear blockages without creating a bigger issue.
Mistake 3: Infrequent Cleaning and Not Removing the Dome
Many users simply wipe the outside of the dome while it’s still attached to the hearing aid and call it a day. While a daily wipe-down is good practice, it’s not enough for a thorough cleaning. Neglecting a deeper clean allows for a gradual buildup of debris in hard-to-see places.
Why This Is a Problem: Earwax and moisture can get trapped in the small space between the silicone dome and the body of the receiver it covers. This hidden buildup can harden over time, becoming difficult to remove. It can also hold moisture against the receiver, increasing the risk of electronic damage. Furthermore, cleaning the dome while it’s attached prevents you from properly inspecting and cleaning the critical wax guard on the receiver tip.
The Correct Method: You should perform a more thorough cleaning at least once a week. This involves carefully removing the dome from the receiver. To do this, grip the receiver firmly with one hand and the base of the dome with the other, then gently pull the dome straight off.
Once the dome is removed, you can clean it more effectively with your dry cloth and brush. This also gives you clear access to the wax guard on the receiver. You can inspect it to see if it’s clogged and use your brush to gently whisk away any debris. After both parts are clean, you can reattach the dome by pushing it firmly back onto the receiver until it feels secure.
A Simple Daily and Weekly Cleaning Routine
To make it easy, here is a simple routine you can follow:
- Every Day: At the end of the day, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe down the entire hearing aid, paying special attention to the dome. This removes fresh oils and wax before they have a chance to build up.
- Once a Week: Perform a deeper clean.
- Find a clean, well-lit surface to work on.
- Carefully remove the dome from the receiver.
- Use your hearing aid brush to clean any debris from the dome, always brushing away from the openings.
- Inspect the wax guard on the receiver. If it looks clogged or dirty, replace it according to your audiologist’s instructions.
- Gently brush the receiver tip to remove any loose particles.
- Securely reattach the clean dome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace my hearing aid domes? Hearing aid domes are disposable and should be replaced regularly. Depending on your level of earwax and usage, this is typically every one to two months, or whenever you notice the dome is becoming discolored, stiff, or misshapen.
What should I do if my hearing aid gets wet? If your hearing aid is accidentally exposed to water, remove the battery immediately (if it’s not a rechargeable model). Gently pat the outside dry with a soft cloth. Do not use a hairdryer or microwave. The best course of action is to place it in a specialized hearing aid dehumidifier or drying box overnight. Contact your audiologist for advice if it still doesn’t work.
Can I use pre-moistened wipes designed for hearing aids? Yes, wipes made specifically for hearing aids, such as AudioWipes or products recommended by your audiologist, are generally safe. These are formulated to clean without leaving harmful residue or moisture that could damage the electronics. However, you should still remove the dome before wiping the receiver to be extra safe.