Before you begin

Be aware which part is the amplifier and what parts are not before you begin to dismantle and clean the hearing aid. If you have two hearing aids, make sure that you are certain of which ear mould fits each hearing aid before you start. For your behind the ear hearing aid to function properly it needs to fit perfectly and each ear is different. Be aware that the hearing aid itself should not come into contact with detergents or water; it should be kept dry at all times.

Clean the hearing aid

You need to clean and wash the ear mould and the tubing, but not the hearing aid itself.

To disconnect the ear mould and the tubing from the hearing aid, gently pull the plastic tubing from its attachment, which is the elbow the hooked part of the hearing aid. The elbow itself should not be removed, as it is part of the hearing aid and does not need to be cleaned.

The ear mould and tubing should be disconnected every night and washed in warm soapy water, and then rinsed, and allowed to dry naturally overnight. Clean the hearing aid itself with a soft dry tissue; never use a cleaning agent on it. Ideally this simple maintenance should be carried out on a daily basis, but the minimal care your hearing aid needs is a once a week clean. Take special care that there is no water left trapped in the tube. If there is water present on the hearing aid gently blow through the tube to clear the water.

Other maintenance tasks

The tubing needs to be replaced regularly on a behind the ear hearing aid, as in time it tends to harden and it is possible for it to split; if this happens it can cause feedback problems and affect the amplification from the aid. You will be told how often at the point of purchase, but it is usually between six and twelve months.