Earwax is essential to your ears’ health. It protects your skin inside your ear canal and works as a lubricant to keep your ears free from dirt and bacteria.
However, when it comes to hearing aids, earwax can do more damage than good. If it begins to build up, it can interfere with your hearing aids’ receiver or speaker, thus affecting how well your hearing aids operate and your hearing clarity.
Wax filters, or wax guards, protect your hearing aids from wax build-up. Replacing them with new ones should be a regular part of your hearing aid maintenance routine.
To encourage my patients to keep up with their hearing aid maintenance, I’ve put together this article that explains the importance of wax filters and how to change them.
Why are Wax Filters Important?
Wax filters are small plastic screens that prevent too much wax from reaching your hearing aids’ receiver or speaker. If these tiny components become clogged up with earwax, it can lead to damage and the need for repair. Earwax build-up can also affect how well your hearing aids work. Sounds may become distorted or weak, and even vanish entirely.
When Should I Change My Filters?
Regularly check the speaker end of your hearing aid to see if the wax filter has collected a substantial amount of wax. You should change the wax filter if it appears plugged or if the holes are completely blocked. Do not wait until the sound softens or fades completely.
How Often Should My Wax Filters Be Changed?
It depends on how much wax accumulates in your ears – and this happens on a very individual basis. This can vary from needing to change the wax filters every month to every several months.
I Have A Custom Hearing Aid. How Do I Change Its Wax Filter?
Although there is a wide range of hearing aids available, most of the designs are very similar. You should, however, use wax filters that are supplied by your hearing aids’ manufacturer.
Here’s how to change the wax filter on your hearing aid:
- Open the packaging and remove the new wax filter.
- Remove the tool from the shell. There should be two pins – one for holding the new wax filter and one for holding the used wax filter.
- Insert the empty pin into the old wax filter. Gently remove it from the speaker.
- Use the other pin to insert the new wax filter.
- Roll-off the tool to remove it and then discard it.
I Wear Receiver in the Ear (RITE) Hearing Aids. How Do I Change The Wax Filters?
Earwax can be even more damaging to RITE hearing aids than custom hearing aids. Changing the wax filters regularly is extremely important, as RITE hearing aids have a higher chance of not working if they aren’t properly maintained.
Here’s how to change the wax filters on your RITE hearing aids:
- From the circular holder, select the tool. It will have a pin with the new wax filter and an empty pin for the used wax filter.
- Place the empty pin into the old wax filter. Pull it out when you feel it click.
- Push the new wax filter into place with the other pin.
- Roll-off the tool to remove it and then discard it.
Do Not Hesitate to Contact Alabama Hearing Associates Today
Alabama Hearing Associates serves the residents of North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Should you be uncertain of which wax filters are suitable for your hearing aids or if you require further assistance with changing them, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We would be delighted to help you, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
