Hearing Aids

How to care for your child’s hearing aid and earmold

Your child’s hearing aid and earmold need regular care and maintenance to keep them working.

Follow the steps below to check and care for your child’s hearing aids and earmold. As your child grows, it is important to encourage them to learn how to do these tasks.

Hearing aids are different depending on the manufacturer and model. Always follow the instructions provided to you by your child's audiologist and the hearing aid user manual.

Daily care for hearing aids and earmolds

Clean the hearing aid and earmold

• Wipe the hearing aid and earmold with a soft tissue or cloth when they are not in your child's ear to remove wax, dirt, and debris.
• Check the ear canal part of the earmold for wax buildup. If you see wax, wipe it with a damp cloth, or gently remove the wax with a wax loop, brush, pipe cleaner, or other cleaning tool recommended by your audiologist.
• Check the hearing aid microphones for debris and clean them as needed using a dry brush.

Check for moisture

• Check the earmold tubing for moisture.
• If there is moisture, disconnect the tubing from the hearing aid and use an earmold blower to dry it.
• If your child sweats a lot or plays sports, consider using a hearing aid drying kit recommended by your audiologist.

Check for damage

• Check the earmold and tubing for cracks, holes, tears, or hardening of the tubing.
• Damage can cause feedback (whistling or squealing), affect the hearing aid's volume, and affect how well it works.
• Contact your audiologist if the earmold or tubing looks damaged and needs to be replaced.

Check connections

• Make sure the earmold tubing is securely attached to both the earmold and the hearing aid.

Check the power

• Turn the hearing aid off when it is not in use.
• Before placing the hearing aid in your child's ear, make sure it is turned on and working properly.
• Recharge or replace the batteries by following the directions from the hearing aid manufacturer and your child's audiologist.

Daily listening check

A listening check needs to be done every day before the hearing aid is placed in your child’s ear. Also do a listening check whenever you think your child isn’t hearing or responding like they usually do.

Learn how to do a daily listening check and how to troubleshoot if the listening check finds a problem.

Caring for hearing aids when they are not in your child’s ears

Like any electronic device, hearing aids can be damaged by too much moisture and extreme temperatures. Very cold or hot temperatures can affect battery performance, damage electronic parts, or cause the hearing aid casing to crack or warp.

When your child is not using their hearing aids:

• Store them in a safe, dry place.
• Keep them away from direct sunlight, heaters or windowsills.
• Do not leave hearing aids in a vehicle during hot or cold weather.

Be sure to take out your child’s hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or other water activities, unless the hearing aids are designed to use in water.

Earmold fit

Children’s ears grow quickly, especially during their first few years of life.

Check regularly for signs that the earmold no longer fits well, including:

• more feedback (whistling)
• the skin of the ear looks irritated or sore
• a loose fit
• it falls out a lot or doesn’t sit properly in the ear

Contact your audiologist if you notice any of these signs, because your child might need a new earmold.

Batteries

Batteries are poisonous. Keep batteries out of reach of young children and pets.

If you think that your child has swallowed a battery, take them to an emergency department immediately.

If you think your pet has swallowed a battery, take them to a vet immediately.

Store spare batteries in a safe place and dispose of used batteries safely.

To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_hearing_aid_care_child_inst

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: August 28, 2026

Author: Audiology, Allied Health Professions

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.