Hearing aids help make conversations and everyday sounds easier to follow, so keeping them in good condition matters. Although modern hearing aids are designed for daily use, they still contain small microphones, receivers, batteries, and other sensitive electronic parts.
Damage does not always come from a major accident. Sweat during exercise, steam from a shower, dust from gardening, or a drop onto a hard floor can gradually affect performance.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders recommends protecting hearing aids from heat and moisture, cleaning them as instructed, and avoiding hairspray and other hair products while wearing them.
Here are the most common everyday risks—and simple ways to protect your hearing aids.
1. Moisture and Humidity
Moisture is one of the biggest everyday threats to hearing aids. Water can enter the microphone openings, receivers, charging contacts, or battery compartment and affect the electronics inside.
Everyday sources of moisture
-
Sweating during exercise
-
Walking in rain or snow
-
Spending time in hot, humid weather
-
Cooking over steaming pots
-
Wearing hearing aids in a sauna or steam room
-
Leaving them in the bathroom during a hot shower
-
Applying wet hair products while wearing them
Moisture damage may not be noticeable immediately. Over time, you may experience weak or muffled sound, charging problems, corrosion, or sudden device failure.
How to protect your hearing aids
-
Remove your hearing aids before showering, swimming, or entering a sauna.
-
Keep them outside the bathroom while showering.
-
Wear a sweatband during exercise if it helps keep moisture away from your devices.
-
Wipe your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth after exercise or time outdoors.
-
Use a hearing-aid dry jar or manufacturer-approved drying system overnight.
-
Never use a hair dryer, oven, microwave, radiator, or direct sunlight to dry them.
If your hearing aids become very wet, switch them off, dry the outside carefully, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Contact support before charging them if you suspect water entered the device or charging case.
2. Earwax, Skin Oils, and Daily Buildup
Your ears naturally produce wax and oils. These substances can collect on hearing-aid domes, wax filters, microphones, and receivers during normal wear.
A blocked wax filter or receiver can make a hearing aid sound weak, unclear, or completely silent. This is sometimes mistaken for an electronic failure when the device simply needs cleaning or a replacement filter.
How to prevent buildup
-
Wipe your hearing aids every day with a clean microfiber cloth.
-
Check the domes and wax filters regularly.
-
Use a soft hearing-aid brush to remove dry debris.
-
Replace wax filters and domes according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
-
Never push pins, toothpicks, or household tools into the microphone or receiver.
-
Make sure your ears and hair are dry before putting your hearing aids on.
For a simpler routine, an all-in-one hearing aid care kit can keep cleaning tools, a dry jar, wax filters, domes, and storage supplies together in one place.
Removing visible dust is only part of caring for your devices. Earwax, skin oils, and moisture also build up during normal use. Follow our complete guide to caring for and cleaning your hearing aids for a practical daily and weekly cleaning routine.
3. Dust and Small Particles
Dust, dirt, and other small particles can block hearing-aid openings and interfere with sound.
Activities that may expose your devices to dust
-
Gardening or mowing the lawn
-
Working in a workshop
-
Sweeping dusty areas
-
Visiting construction sites
-
Cleaning attics, garages, or basements
-
Using dry shampoo, powder, or spray products
-
Spending time outdoors in strong wind
If you need your hearing aids for communication or safety in a dusty environment, do not remove them without considering the risks around you. Use any manufacturer-approved protective covers and follow workplace hearing-safety rules.
How to protect your hearing aids
-
Remove your devices before using dry shampoo, powder, or cleaning sprays.
-
Keep them in a closed protective case when they are not being worn.
-
Brush away visible dust with a clean, soft hearing-aid brush.
-
Wipe the outside with a dry microfiber cloth after dusty activities.
-
Ask a hearing professional for help if debris is trapped inside the device.
Do not rinse hearing aids under running water, even if the manufacturer describes them as water resistant. Water resistance does not mean a device is waterproof.
4. Hair and Skin Products
Hairspray, perfume, sunscreen, makeup, aftershave, and other personal-care products can enter small openings or leave a sticky coating on hearing aids.
This residue may collect dust, block microphones, or affect charging contacts.
A safer morning routine
-
Apply hairspray, perfume, sunscreen, and makeup before inserting your hearing aids.
-
Allow sprays and lotions to dry fully.
-
Wash and dry your hands before handling the devices.
-
Remove your hearing aids before visiting a salon if water, sprays, or heat will be used near your ears.
-
Wipe the devices after a hot day when sunscreen or skin oils may have transferred onto them.
This small change in routine can prevent a surprising amount of buildup.
5. Drops and Rough Handling
Hearing aids are small and easy to drop. A fall onto tile, concrete, or another hard surface can crack the casing, damage the receiver, or affect the internal electronics.
Common handling risks
-
Removing hearing aids while standing over a hard floor
-
Changing domes or wax filters with wet hands
-
Leaving devices loose in a pocket, purse, or gym bag
-
Placing them on the edge of a sink or table
-
Removing a hat, mask, glasses, or shirt too quickly
-
Wearing them during contact sports
How to prevent accidental damage
-
Sit down when inserting, removing, or cleaning your hearing aids.
-
Handle them over a bed, towel, or other soft surface.
-
Keep your hands clean and dry.
-
Store the devices in their charging case or protective case when not in use.
-
Remove hats, masks, glasses, and clothing carefully so they do not catch on the devices.
-
Take hearing aids out before contact sports or activities where they may be hit or lost.
Never carry hearing aids loose in a bag or pocket. Keys, coins, cosmetics, and other objects can scratch or damage them.
6. Heat and Cold
Hearing aids and their batteries can be affected by extreme temperatures.
Common temperature risks
-
Leaving hearing aids in a parked car
-
Placing them near a heater or stove
-
Leaving them on a sunny windowsill
-
Trying to dry them on a radiator
-
Storing them in an unheated vehicle during winter
-
Exposing them to freezing weather for long periods
High heat may damage batteries, charging cases, or plastic components. Cold weather can reduce battery performance and may lead to condensation when a cold device is brought into a warm room.
How to protect your devices
-
Store hearing aids at a comfortable room temperature.
-
Never leave them in a parked car during very hot or cold weather.
-
Keep them away from heaters, ovens, radiators, and direct sunlight.
-
Use a loose hat or ear covering during cold weather, making sure it does not press against the devices.
-
After coming indoors from the cold, wipe the hearing aids and place them in a dry, safe location.
If a device feels unusually hot, looks swollen, or has a damaged battery, stop using it and contact the manufacturer.
7. Children and Pets
Hearing aids, domes, wax filters, and disposable batteries are small enough to be swallowed. Pets may also chew hearing aids because they carry their owner’s scent.
Always store your hearing aids and accessories in a closed case that children and pets cannot reach. Disposable button batteries require particular care because swallowing one is a medical emergency.
A Simple Daily Care Routine
Protecting your hearing aids does not need to take long. A few minutes each day can prevent many common problems.
At the end of the day:
-
Wipe the devices with a dry microfiber cloth.
-
Check the domes and wax filters for buildup.
-
Brush away loose, dry debris.
-
Inspect the charging contacts or battery compartment.
-
Place the devices in their charging case, protective case, or approved drying system.
-
Store everything somewhere cool, dry, and out of reach of children and pets.
Follow the cleaning instructions for your specific model. Products that are safe for one hearing aid may not be suitable for another.
Protecting your devices from moisture, dust, heat, and accidental drops is only one part of good hearing-aid care. Following a simple hearing-aid maintenance routine can also help preserve clear sound, reliable performance, and the life of your devices.
When to Ask for Help
Contact the manufacturer or a hearing professional if you notice:
-
Weak or muffled sound after cleaning
-
Frequent feedback or whistling
-
Static or distorted sound
-
Charging problems
-
Visible corrosion
-
Cracks or physical damage
-
A device that became heavily wet
-
A battery that appears swollen or unusually hot
Do not open the casing or attempt an internal repair yourself. This may cause further damage and could affect your warranty.
Everyday life exposes hearing aids to moisture, wax, dust, heat, and accidental drops. Fortunately, most of these risks are easy to manage. Keep your devices clean and dry, handle them carefully, store them securely, and deal with small problems before they become expensive repairs.
A little daily care can help your hearing aids continue delivering clear, reliable sound wherever life takes you.
