diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/components.dm b/code/__DEFINES/components.dm
index b79f1c2e59..9dad2926f8 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/components.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/components.dm
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@
 #define COMPONENT_INCOMPATIBLE 1
 #define COMPONENT_NOTRANSFER 2
 
+#define ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE 1 // Return value to cancel attaching
+
+// /datum/element flags
+#define ELEMENT_DETACH		(1 << 0)
+
 // How multiple components of the exact same type are handled in the same datum
 
 #define COMPONENT_DUPE_HIGHLANDER		0		//old component is deleted (default)
@@ -28,7 +33,7 @@
 #define COMSIG_COMPONENT_ADDED "component_added"				//when a component is added to a datum: (/datum/component)
 #define COMSIG_COMPONENT_REMOVING "component_removing"			//before a component is removed from a datum because of RemoveComponent: (/datum/component)
 #define COMSIG_PARENT_PREQDELETED "parent_preqdeleted"			//before a datum's Destroy() is called: (force), returning a nonzero value will cancel the qdel operation
-#define COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED "parent_qdeleted"				//after a datum's Destroy() is called: (force, qdel_hint), at this point none of the other components chose to interrupt qdel and Destroy has been called
+#define COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING "parent_qdeleting"				//just before a datum's Destroy() is called: (force), at this point none of the other components chose to interrupt qdel and Destroy will be called
 
 // /atom signals
 #define COMSIG_PARENT_ATTACKBY "atom_attackby"			        //from base of atom/attackby(): (/obj/item, /mob/living, params)
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/dcs.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/dcs.dm
index c1e101a0e7..e94f233f04 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/dcs.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/dcs.dm
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
-SUBSYSTEM_DEF(dcs)
+PROCESSING_SUBSYSTEM_DEF(dcs)
 	name = "Datum Component System"
-	flags = SS_NO_INIT | SS_NO_FIRE
+	flags = SS_NO_INIT
+	var/list/elements_by_type = list()
 
-/datum/controller/subsystem/dcs/Recover()
+/datum/controller/subsystem/processing/dcs/Recover()
 	comp_lookup = SSdcs.comp_lookup
+
+/datum/controller/subsystem/processing/dcs/proc/GetElement(eletype)
+	. = elements_by_type[eletype]
+	if(.)
+		return
+	if(!ispath(eletype, /datum/element))
+		CRASH("Attempted to instantiate [eletype] as a /datum/element")
+	. = elements_by_type[eletype] = new eletype
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/garbage.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/garbage.dm
index eec9f63a12..f8ca1e7eae 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/garbage.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/garbage.dm
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(garbage)
 					state = SS_RUNNING
 				break
 
-	
+
 
 
 /datum/controller/subsystem/garbage/proc/HandleQueue(level = GC_QUEUE_CHECK)
@@ -266,8 +266,8 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(garbage)
 		D.gc_destroyed = GC_CURRENTLY_BEING_QDELETED
 		var/start_time = world.time
 		var/start_tick = world.tick_usage
+		SEND_SIGNAL(D, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, force) // Let the (remaining) components know about the result of Destroy
 		var/hint = D.Destroy(arglist(args.Copy(2))) // Let our friend know they're about to get fucked up.
-		SEND_SIGNAL(D, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED, force, hint) // Let the (remaining) components know about the result of Destroy
 		if(world.time != start_time)
 			I.slept_destroy++
 		else
diff --git a/code/datums/components/earhealing.dm b/code/datums/components/earhealing.dm
deleted file mode 100644
index bd3d57480d..0000000000
--- a/code/datums/components/earhealing.dm
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-// An item worn in the ear slot with this component will heal your ears each
-// Life() tick, even if normally your ears would be too damaged to heal.
-
-/datum/component/earhealing
-	var/mob/living/carbon/wearer
-
-/datum/component/earhealing/Initialize()
-	if(!isitem(parent))
-		return COMPONENT_INCOMPATIBLE
-	RegisterSignal(parent, list(COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED), .proc/equippedChanged)
-
-/datum/component/earhealing/proc/equippedChanged(datum/source, mob/living/carbon/user, slot)
-	if (slot == SLOT_EARS && istype(user))
-		if (!wearer)
-			START_PROCESSING(SSobj, src)
-		wearer = user
-	else
-		if (wearer)
-			STOP_PROCESSING(SSobj, src)
-		wearer = null
-
-/datum/component/earhealing/process()
-	if (!wearer)
-		STOP_PROCESSING(SSobj, src)
-		return
-	if(!HAS_TRAIT(wearer, TRAIT_DEAF))
-		var/obj/item/organ/ears/ears = wearer.getorganslot(ORGAN_SLOT_EARS)
-		if (ears)
-			ears.deaf = max(ears.deaf - 1, (ears.damage < ears.maxHealth ? 0 : 1)) // Do not clear deafness if our ears are too damaged
-			ears.damage = max(ears.damage - 0.1, 0)
diff --git a/code/datums/components/mood.dm b/code/datums/components/mood.dm
index b46919a6c6..a0e6f97de0 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/mood.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/mood.dm
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@
 	var/datum/hud/hud = owner.hud_used
 	screen_obj = new
 	hud.infodisplay += screen_obj
-	RegisterSignal(hud, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED, .proc/unmodify_hud)
+	RegisterSignal(hud, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, .proc/unmodify_hud)
 	RegisterSignal(screen_obj, COMSIG_CLICK, .proc/hud_click)
 
 /datum/component/mood/proc/unmodify_hud(datum/source)
diff --git a/code/datums/components/virtual_reality.dm b/code/datums/components/virtual_reality.dm
index f8f0679e9b..7bad836e47 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/virtual_reality.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/virtual_reality.dm
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 		return COMPONENT_INCOMPATIBLE
 	var/mob/vr_M = parent
 	mastermind = M.mind
-	RegisterSignal(M, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED), .proc/game_over)
+	RegisterSignal(M, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING), .proc/game_over)
 	RegisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_KEY_CHANGE, .proc/switch_player)
 	RegisterSignal(mastermind, COMSIG_MIND_TRANSFER, .proc/switch_player)
 	you_die_in_the_game_you_die_for_real = yolo
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 	current_mind = M.mind
 	quit_action.Grant(M)
 	RegisterSignal(quit_action, COMSIG_ACTION_TRIGGER, .proc/revert_to_reality)
-	RegisterSignal(M, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED), .proc/game_over)
+	RegisterSignal(M, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING), .proc/game_over)
 	RegisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_GHOSTIZE, .proc/be_a_quitter)
 	RegisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_KEY_CHANGE, .proc/pass_me_the_remote)
 	RegisterSignal(current_mind, COMSIG_MIND_TRANSFER, .proc/pass_me_the_remote)
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 
 /datum/component/virtual_reality/UnregisterFromParent()
 	quit_action.Remove(parent)
-	UnregisterSignal(parent, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETED, COMSIG_MOB_KEY_CHANGE, COMSIG_MOB_GHOSTIZE))
+	UnregisterSignal(parent, list(COMSIG_MOB_DEATH, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, COMSIG_MOB_KEY_CHANGE, COMSIG_MOB_GHOSTIZE))
 	UnregisterSignal(current_mind, COMSIG_MIND_TRANSFER)
 	UnregisterSignal(quit_action, COMSIG_ACTION_TRIGGER)
 	current_mind = null
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/_element.dm b/code/datums/elements/_element.dm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f12835d2e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/datums/elements/_element.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/datum/element
+	var/element_flags = NONE
+
+/datum/element/proc/Attach(datum/target)
+	if(type == /datum/element)
+		return ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE
+	if(element_flags & ELEMENT_DETACH)
+		RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, .proc/Detach)
+
+/datum/element/proc/Detach(datum/source, force)
+	UnregisterSignal(source, COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING)
+
+/datum/element/Destroy(force)
+	if(!force)
+		return QDEL_HINT_LETMELIVE
+	SSdcs.elements_by_type -= type
+	return ..()
+
+//DATUM PROCS
+
+/datum/proc/AddElement(eletype, ...)
+	var/datum/element/ele = SSdcs.GetElement(eletype)
+	args[1] = src
+	if(ele.Attach(arglist(args)) == ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE)
+		CRASH("Incompatible [eletype] assigned to a [type]! args: [json_encode(args)]")
+
+/datum/proc/RemoveElement(eletype)
+	var/datum/element/ele = SSdcs.GetElement(eletype)
+	ele.Detach(src)
diff --git a/code/datums/components/cleaning.dm b/code/datums/elements/cleaning.dm
similarity index 79%
rename from code/datums/components/cleaning.dm
rename to code/datums/elements/cleaning.dm
index 5324a87fee..e4fb3edd48 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/cleaning.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/cleaning.dm
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
-/datum/component/cleaning
-	dupe_mode = COMPONENT_DUPE_UNIQUE_PASSARGS
+/datum/element/cleaning/Attach(datum/target)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!ismovableatom(target))
+		return ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE
+	RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_MOVABLE_MOVED, .proc/Clean)
 
-/datum/component/cleaning/Initialize()
-	if(!ismovableatom(parent))
-		return COMPONENT_INCOMPATIBLE
-	RegisterSignal(parent, list(COMSIG_MOVABLE_MOVED), .proc/Clean)
+/datum/element/cleaning/Detach(datum/target)
+	. = ..()
+	UnregisterSignal(target, COMSIG_MOVABLE_MOVED)
 
-/datum/component/cleaning/proc/Clean()
-	var/atom/movable/AM = parent
+/datum/element/cleaning/proc/Clean(datum/source)
+	var/atom/movable/AM = source
 	var/turf/T = AM.loc
 	SEND_SIGNAL(T, COMSIG_COMPONENT_CLEAN_ACT, CLEAN_WEAK)
 	for(var/A in T)
@@ -43,4 +45,4 @@
 				cleaned_human.clean_blood()
 				cleaned_human.wash_cream()
 				cleaned_human.regenerate_icons()
-				to_chat(cleaned_human, "<span class='danger'>[src] cleans your face!</span>")
\ No newline at end of file
+				to_chat(cleaned_human, "<span class='danger'>[src] cleans your face!</span>")
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/earhealing.dm b/code/datums/elements/earhealing.dm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7477742673
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/datums/elements/earhealing.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+
+/datum/element/earhealing
+	element_flags = ELEMENT_DETACH
+	var/list/user_by_item = list()
+
+/datum/element/earhealing/New()
+	START_PROCESSING(SSdcs, src)
+
+/datum/element/earhealing/Attach(datum/target)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!isitem(target))
+		return ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE
+
+	RegisterSignal(target, list(COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED), .proc/equippedChanged)
+
+/datum/element/earhealing/Detach(datum/target)
+	. = ..()
+	UnregisterSignal(target, list(COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED))
+	user_by_item -= target
+
+/datum/element/earhealing/proc/equippedChanged(datum/source, mob/living/carbon/user, slot)
+	if(slot == SLOT_EARS && istype(user))
+		user_by_item[source] = user
+	else
+		user_by_item -= source
+
+/datum/element/earhealing/process()
+	for(var/i in user_by_item)
+		var/mob/living/carbon/user = user_by_item[i]
+		if(HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_DEAF))
+			continue
+		var/obj/item/organ/ears/ears = user.getorganslot(ORGAN_SLOT_EARS)
+		if(!ears)
+			continue
+		ears.deaf = max(ears.deaf - 0.25, (ears.damage < ears.maxHealth ? 0 : 1)) // Do not clear deafness if our ears are too damaged
+		ears.damage = max(ears.damage - 0.025, 0)
+		CHECK_TICK
diff --git a/code/modules/clothing/ears/_ears.dm b/code/modules/clothing/ears/_ears.dm
index 1dcaeb35fa..6775279ef6 100644
--- a/code/modules/clothing/ears/_ears.dm
+++ b/code/modules/clothing/ears/_ears.dm
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/clothing/ears/earmuffs/ComponentInitialize()
 	. = ..()
-	AddComponent(/datum/component/earhealing)
+	AddElement(/datum/element/earhealing)
 	AddComponent(/datum/component/wearertargeting/earprotection, list(SLOT_EARS))
 
 /obj/item/clothing/ears/headphones
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
index c7aa882620..4f844151a2 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
@@ -1098,9 +1098,9 @@
 		status_flags &= ~CANPUSH
 
 	if(module.clean_on_move)
-		AddComponent(/datum/component/cleaning)
+		AddElement(/datum/element/cleaning)
 	else
-		qdel(GetComponent(/datum/component/cleaning))
+		RemoveElement(/datum/element/cleaning)
 
 	hat_offset = module.hat_offset
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien.dm
index 5240b4d06c..bb51358192 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien.dm
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@
 
 /mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien/maid/Initialize(mapload)
 	. = ..()
+	AddElement(/datum/element/cleaning)
 
 /mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/alien/maid/AttackingTarget()
 	if(ismovableatom(target))
diff --git a/code/modules/vehicles/pimpin_ride.dm b/code/modules/vehicles/pimpin_ride.dm
index 31d0a243e7..c398b528d8 100644
--- a/code/modules/vehicles/pimpin_ride.dm
+++ b/code/modules/vehicles/pimpin_ride.dm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 	D.set_riding_offsets(RIDING_OFFSET_ALL, list(TEXT_NORTH = list(0, 4), TEXT_SOUTH = list(0, 7), TEXT_EAST = list(-12, 7), TEXT_WEST = list( 12, 7)))
 
 	if(floorbuffer)
-		AddComponent(/datum/component/cleaning)
+		AddElement(/datum/element/cleaning)
 
 /obj/vehicle/ridden/janicart/Destroy()
 	if(mybag)
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 		floorbuffer = TRUE
 		qdel(I)
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You upgrade [src] with the floor buffer.</span>")
-		AddComponent(/datum/component/cleaning)
+		AddElement(/datum/element/cleaning)
 		update_icon()
 	else
 		return ..()
diff --git a/tgstation.dme b/tgstation.dme
index 72f46be9a4..986d46e37e 100755
--- a/tgstation.dme
+++ b/tgstation.dme
@@ -354,10 +354,8 @@
 #include "code\datums\components\butchering.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\caltrop.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\chasm.dm"
-#include "code\datums\components\cleaning.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\construction.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\decal.dm"
-#include "code\datums\components\earhealing.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\earprotection.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\edit_complainer.dm"
 #include "code\datums\components\empprotection.dm"
@@ -464,6 +462,9 @@
 #include "code\datums\diseases\advance\symptoms\vomit.dm"
 #include "code\datums\diseases\advance\symptoms\weight.dm"
 #include "code\datums\diseases\advance\symptoms\youth.dm"
+#include "code\datums\elements\_element.dm"
+#include "code\datums\elements\cleaning.dm"
+#include "code\datums\elements\earhealing.dm"
 #include "code\datums\helper_datums\events.dm"
 #include "code\datums\helper_datums\getrev.dm"
 #include "code\datums\helper_datums\icon_snapshot.dm"