Keeping your new hearing aids in tip-top shape is the best way to ensure that you are getting the most quality sounds delivered to your ears. The difference between a well-maintained hearing aid and one that isn’t can be the difference between you hearing sounds the way you’re supposed to or possibly not hearing at all.
As a doctor of audiology, it is my passion to ensure that your equipment is working precisely the way you need it when you need it to. Your hearing aids are made up of three simple, yet tiny parts: a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. Keeping all three of these components in good condition is key to making sure they are working optimally for a long time.
What are hearing aid filters?
Ear wax and moisture are the worst enemies of hearing aids. One of the most common causes of repair and replacement is a build-up of wax, which prevents sounds from properly traveling through the device. Wax can cause weak or distorted sounds or even block sounds completely.
Hearing aid filters or wax guards are tiny plastic pins that protect the speakers from being damaged by ear wax. On more complex devices, the filters can also prevent moisture from accumulating in your hearing aid.
When to change your hearing aid filters
Your hearing aids should be cleaned each day, either before putting them in for the day or taking them out for the evening. Part of this cleaning process is using the small tools that came with your device to clean out any residual wax or dust that may have accumulated throughout the day.
In addition to your routine care, inspect the speaker’s end of your hearing aid to check for wax build-up. The filter is typically designed with tiny holes in the cup, which should be visible. If these holes are visibly blocked, or you are unable to see them at all, then it is time to change the filter.
How to change your hearing aid filters
The frequency in which you change your filter varies from user to user. Some wearers may get many month’s uses from the filters while others may have more ear wax in their ears, in which case the filter should be changed more often, like once a month.
It is essential to use the filters that are manufactured for your specific hearing aid. If you need any assistance obtaining new filters or need help with how to change them, never hesitate to contact us.
For customized hearing aids:
- Unpackage your new filters
- Remove the tool from the shell of your device. It should have two pins, one empty pin for removal, and one for the new filter.
- Insert the empty pin into the old filter and gently pull it out. It is located in the speaker portion of your hearing aid.
- Use the other pin to insert your new filter and remove the tool by simply rolling it off and then throw it away.
For more detailed instructions, see this video or contact us.
For receiver in the ear hearing aids:
Receiver in the ear devices are more sensitive to wax than custom hearing aids and are more apt to fail without proper maintenance.
- Most new filters are packaged on a circular holder. First, remove the tool from the shell. It should have two pins, just like the tool for a custom hearing aid. One pin is for removal and one with the new filter.
- Insert the empty pin into the old filter until you feel it click, then pull it straight out.
- Insert the new filter with the other pin.
- Remove the tool by simply rolling it off then throw it away.
For more detailed instructions, see this video or contact us.
Caring for your hearing aids is key to hearing the way you should and making your device last. If you need more assistance with hearing aid maintenance, contact us. We are here to keep you hearing your best.
