Cleaning hearing aid tubes takes just a few minutes and should be part of your weekly routine. The process differs slightly depending on whether you have standard earmold tubing or thin tubes, but both are straightforward once you know the steps. Regular cleaning prevents wax buildup, moisture accumulation, and the muffled sound that comes with neglected tubing.
What You’ll Need
A basic cleaning kit for hearing aid tubes includes just a few items. You likely received some of these when you got your hearing aids, and replacements are inexpensive online or through your audiologist:
- A bulb air puffer (air blower): forces air through the tube to push out moisture and small debris
- A thin cleaning wire or filament: threads through the tube to dislodge wax buildup
- A soft brush: clears debris from the earmold opening and hearing aid connection points
- Mild soap and warm water: for washing standard earmold tubing (not thin tubes)
- A clean, dry cloth: for wiping down all surfaces
Cleaning Standard Earmold Tubing
Standard tubing connects a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid to a custom earmold. It’s thicker, more durable, and can handle a soap-and-water wash. The key rule: always disconnect the earmold and tubing from the hearing aid body before introducing any moisture. The electronic components in the hearing aid itself should never get wet.
Detach the earmold and its connected tubing from the hearing aid by gently pulling the tube off the ear hook. Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a drop of mild soap. Submerge the earmold and tubing, and let them soak for about 15 to 20 minutes to loosen any accumulated wax or debris. After soaking, gently run warm water through the tube to flush it out. If you can see stubborn wax inside, thread a cleaning wire carefully through the length of the tube to clear it.
Drying is the step most people rush, and it matters. Shake out excess water, then use a bulb air puffer to blow air through the tube several times. Set the earmold and tubing on a clean cloth and let everything air dry completely, ideally overnight. Reconnecting a tube that still has moisture inside will muffle your sound and can push dampness toward the hearing aid’s electronics. Many people find it easiest to clean their tubing before bed so it’s fully dry by morning.
Cleaning Thin Tubes
Thin tubes (sometimes called slim tubes) are narrower and more delicate than standard earmold tubing. They connect to a small dome or tip rather than a custom earmold. The cleaning approach is different: don’t soak thin tubes in water.
Disconnect the thin tube from the hearing aid. Check for visible blockages by holding it up to the light. If you see wax or debris, push the black cleaning wire that came with your hearing aids through the full length of the tube to clear it. Most thin tube kits include this wire, and replacements are available from your audiologist. After clearing the tube, use a bulb air puffer to blow through it, then wipe the outside with a dry cloth before reattaching it to the hearing aid.
Thin tubes are more prone to cracking and tend to need replacement more frequently than standard tubing, so inspect them each time you clean.
How Often to Clean
A good maintenance schedule breaks down into three tiers. Daily, wipe down the outer surfaces of your hearing aids and brush away any visible wax or debris from the tube openings. Weekly, do a deeper clean of the earmold or tubing using the methods above. Monthly, inspect your devices carefully for signs of wear and replace wax guards and domes, typically every two to four weeks or sooner if sound quality drops.
Your audiologist will also want to do a professional cleaning roughly every six months. These appointments are a chance to catch problems you might miss at home and to have the tubing replaced if needed.
When to Replace Instead of Clean
No amount of cleaning fixes tubing that’s worn out. Plan to replace your tubes every three to six months, and sooner if you notice any of these signs:
- Yellowing, stiffness, or cracking: tubing hardens over time from exposure to body oils, sweat, and temperature changes
- Persistent moisture or condensation inside the tube: if drying methods no longer clear it, the tube’s inner surface has likely degraded
- Muffled, weak, or distorted sound: this often signals a partial blockage or a tube that’s lost its seal
- Loose fit in the ear: as tubing stiffens, it can change shape enough that the earmold no longer sits securely
Some people go through tubing faster depending on their body chemistry, climate, or how much they sweat. If you’re replacing tubes frequently, buying tubing in bulk is a cost-effective option. A meter of standard tubing costs very little and can last through many replacements, with each hearing aid needing only a few centimeters at a time.
Professional Tubing Replacement
You can replace standard tubing yourself once your audiologist shows you how, but many people prefer to have it done professionally, especially the first few times. Clinics typically charge between $30 and $46 for a cleaning and tubing change for both hearing aids. If you need a full appointment with adjustments or reprogramming, expect to pay closer to $65. Some clinics bundle tubing replacement into routine hearing test appointments, which most people schedule every one to two years.
If you’re unsure whether your tubes need replacing or just a thorough clean, bring them in. An audiologist can tell immediately whether the tubing has degraded past the point where cleaning will help.