How To Clean Your Hearing Aids: Receiver-In-Canal

Cleaning Your Hearing Aids - Receiver-in-canal (RIC) 

RIC hearing aids can be fit with different acoustic couplings (i.e. how sound is directed into your ear canal). A RIC hearing aid can be fit with either a dome or a custom earmould. There are various sized domes and different types of earmoulds available.

Domes are particularly effective if you have better low-pitched hearing (so your ear isn’t blocked by an earmould and you can use your natural hearing) or if you just can’t tolerate the feeling of having an earmould in your ear.

The severity of your hearing loss can also dictate which acoustic coupling is fit to your hearing aid. Your clinician will decide what’s best for your circumstances. In order to keep your hearing aids working optimally, you will need to clean the hearing aid and acoustic coupling regularly.

Daily cleaning

Your hearing aids go in your ears, which can be warm, moist and waxy, So it’s a good idea to give them a quick clean daily.

Firstly, give the dome or earmould a quick visual inspection and wipe it gently with a tissue or cloth to remove excess wax. Ensure that the dome isn’t broken or sitting too loosely on the hearing aid, otherwise it will need replacing. If you have a custom earmould, check that it isn’t broken or cracked. It is recommended that you check this on a regular basis.

Weekly cleaning

We recommend that you give your hearing aids a more thorough clean weekly.

1. For hearing aids fit with a dome:
2. To remove the existing dome for cleaning, grasp the tip of the dome between your thumb and forefinger and pull it off the receiver. 
3. To clean the dome, use a tissue to roll it gently between your thumb and forefinger, or soak it in some warm soapy water for a few minutes (ensure it is completely dry before placing it back on the hearing aid). N.B. It is advisable that if you do wash your domes to replace them after a few washes as the quality of the dome material may degrade with frequent washing & make it less secure on the receiver. 
4. Check the wax filter is clear. Depending on the type of wax filter on your hearing aid receiver, you may be able to use the brush tool to brush any loose wax or dirt away from the wax filter. It may look discoloured or yellow/dark inside the wax filter if wax is present. If the wax filter is blocked, you will need to change it to maintain optimal hearing aid function.
5. To re-attach the dome, push it onto the receiver end until it is secure. 
6. N.B. The integrity of the dome can degrade over time. If the dome is loose or broken, you will need to replace it.
7. Use the brush tool to gently brush the hearing aid microphones.

For hearing aids fit with an earmould:

1. Custom earmoulds can’t be easily removed from a receiver for cleaning. Some hearing aids manufacturers even require a special tool to do so. So it’s not recommended that you attempt to remove the earmoud for cleaning. Your clinician will check and clean the earmould for you at your appointments. You can wipe it with a damp cloth, but ensure that you avoid getting any moisture into the end where the receiver sits.
2. Check the wax filter is clear. Depending on the type of wax filter on your earmould,  you may be able to use the brush tool to brush any loose wax or dirt away from the wax filter. If the wax filter is blocked, you will need to change it.
3. Check the vent in your earmould is clear (note, depending on the severity of your hearing loss, some earmoulds may not have a vent, or only have a small vent). You can use the brush tool or cleaning wire to clear the vent on the earmould.
4. Use the brush tool to gently brush the hearing aid microphones.