Cleaning Phonak hearing aids takes just a few minutes a day and requires nothing more than a lint-free cloth, a small brush, and fresh wax guards. Doing it consistently is the single best thing you can do to prevent sound quality problems and costly repairs. Here’s how to clean every part of your Phonak hearing aids properly, and what to avoid so you don’t accidentally damage them.
Daily Cleaning Routine
The core of Phonak hearing aid maintenance is a quick wipe-down every day, ideally at night when you remove them. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the entire surface of the hearing aid, removing skin oils, sweat, and any visible debris. Pay special attention to the earpiece, where earwax and moisture tend to collect.
A dry cloth is all you need. Phonak explicitly warns against using household detergents, soap, or any liquid cleaning agents on your hearing aids. Rinsing them with water is also not recommended, even for models marketed as water-resistant. If your hearing aids need a deeper clean than a dry wipe can provide, bring them to your hearing care professional rather than improvising with household products.
Cleaning the Microphone Ports
The microphone openings are the small holes typically found on the top or face of the hearing aid. They pick up sound, and even a thin film of dust or wax over these ports can muffle what you hear. Use a small cleaning brush (most Phonak hearing aids come with one, or your audiologist can provide a replacement) to gently sweep debris away from the openings.
The key technique here is direction: always brush from top to bottom. This lets gravity pull loosened particles away from the openings rather than pushing them deeper inside. Brushing upward or pressing into the port risks forcing wax or dust into the microphone, which can cause permanent damage that only a professional repair can fix.
Replacing Wax Guards
Wax guards are tiny filters that sit at the tip of the receiver (the part that goes into your ear canal). They catch earwax before it reaches the speaker, and they’re designed to be replaced regularly. When a wax guard gets clogged, sound becomes weak or muffled, and no amount of surface cleaning will fix it.
Phonak uses two main wax guard systems. Receiver-in-canal models from the Paradise, Lumity, and newer lines typically use CeruShield Disks. Older models and some custom-fit styles use CeruStop guards. Standard behind-the-ear hearing aids that connect to a custom earmold through tubing generally don’t use wax guards at all, since the earmold itself can be detached and cleaned separately.
Both systems work on the same principle: a small tool with a pin on one end and a fresh guard on the other. You insert the empty pin side into the old wax guard, pull it out, then flip the tool and press the new guard into the opening. The whole swap takes about ten seconds per ear. Most people need to change wax guards every one to two months, though if you produce a lot of earwax, you may need to do it more often. You’ll know it’s time when you notice reduced volume that doesn’t improve after wiping down the earpiece.
Handling Moisture
Moisture is one of the biggest threats to hearing aid electronics. Sweat during exercise, humidity, and even condensation from temperature changes can all introduce water into the device. After any exposure to moisture, dry the hearing aids thoroughly with your lint-free cloth.
Some Phonak models, like the Audéo Life series, are rated as resistant to water, sweat, and dust. But even these models need to be cleaned and dried after every exposure to moisture. Water resistance means they can survive accidental contact, not that they’re designed for prolonged submersion or that moisture won’t eventually cause problems if left to sit.
A hearing aid drying kit or dehumidifier box is a worthwhile investment. You simply place your hearing aids inside overnight and the unit draws out trapped moisture. Electronic drying boxes with a gentle heating element work faster than desiccant-based options, though both are effective. Using one nightly during humid summer months or if you tend to sweat heavily can extend the life of your hearing aids significantly.
What Not to Use
Phonak is clear about what should never touch your hearing aids:
- Household cleaners, detergents, and soap. These can degrade the shell material, corrode metal contacts, and leave residue that clogs ports.
- Water. Even a quick rinse under the tap is discouraged. The openings for microphones and receivers are not fully sealed on most models.
- Hair spray and cosmetics. Always remove your hearing aids before applying either of these. The fine mist from hair spray coats microphone ports and stiffens moving parts, and makeup can clog openings and stain the shell.
- Alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol. While some generic hearing aid guides suggest alcohol, it can crack or discolor plastic housings over time.
Stick with a dry lint-free cloth and the brush that came with your hearing aids. If you want a dedicated cleaning spray, ask your audiologist for one specifically formulated for hearing aids.
Cleaning the Earmold or Dome
If your Phonak hearing aid uses a silicone dome (the soft, mushroom-shaped tip), check it daily for wax buildup. You can gently wipe it with your cloth, and if wax is stuck in the vents or openings, use the thin wire loop on your cleaning tool to carefully pick it out. Domes should be replaced every two to three months, or sooner if they become stiff, discolored, or torn.
For behind-the-ear models with custom earmolds, the mold can be detached from the hearing aid and washed with warm water and mild soap, then dried completely before reattaching. Never wash the hearing aid itself, only the earmold. Make sure the tubing and mold are fully dry before reconnecting, since water trapped in the tubing will block sound and can travel into the device.
How Often to Get a Professional Cleaning
Even with perfect daily care, your hearing aids benefit from a professional cleaning every three to six months. Your audiologist has tools like vacuum pumps and ultrasonic cleaners that reach debris you can’t get to at home. They’ll also check the tubing, receiver, and microphone ports under magnification and catch early signs of wear or corrosion before they turn into bigger problems. Most hearing care providers include these cleanings as part of your ongoing care at no extra charge.