Hearing aids are an inseparable part of life if you are suffering from hearing disorders. Along with the electronic components, hearing aid wax guard filters are crucial for the flawless operation of the device.
These hearing aid filters act as a barrier between your ear canal and the listening device. And the hearing aid wax guard stops ear wax from entering the delicate parts of the ear canal.
As this filter catches a lot of dirt and wax, you will end up asking ‘how often should you change wax guards’ to anyone who uses a hearing aid.
But you don’t have to ask anymore; I have compiled all the vital information that will help you decide the time and frequency to change the wax guard of hearing aids.
Table of Content
Things to Know About Wax Guards
Are hearing aid wax guards universal? Yes, they are.
Wax guards for hearing aids are generally made of plastic. They keep the hearing aid receiver safe from the wax and moisture inside our ear canal and protect us from any damage. Accumulation of wax and moisture will shorten the lifespan of your hearing aid.
Doctors suggest hearing aids to people with hearing disabilities or difficulties. It is a long-term investment, so it is necessary to take care of its parts.
The hearing aid manufacturers mainly focus on two types of wax guards. The first one focuses on the changing tool. This one has a straight holder with two sides for changing the used filters. The second one focuses on replacing the wax guard filter.
Effectiveness of Hearing Aid Wax Guard Filters
The medical term for Ear wax is ‘Cerumen.’ It is a yellowish, sticky substance that protects the ear from external ears and keeps the ear lubricated. It also aids hearing. A classic hearing aid consists of three parts, namely, microphone, amplifier, and speaker.
An earmold is a custom in-the-ear piece attached to the hearing aid that improves the wearer’s hearing. Earmolds contain wax guards that are small plastic screens attached to them.
The objective of using wax guards is to block the additional sound and to prevent dust, debris, and microorganisms from entering. Often the ear wax is attached to the wax guards after its prolonged usage.
How Often Should You Change Wax Guards?
There isn’t any specific timeline for changing your wax guards. It depends on the amount of ear wax that accumulates in your ear canal. But you should change it at least once a month. Otherwise, it can lead to chronic infection and pain.
You should do this to avoid infections or receive a proper hearing. To make your hearing aid and wax guards last longer, you should take appropriate care of them and try to make them last longer.
Follow the instructions given by your doctor in terms of cleaning or changing your hearing aids. Apart from that, you can also take some supplements to avoid any sorts of infections or pain that may arise from uncleaned wax guards.
Hearing Aid Wax Guards Issues If Not Changed
It is always advisable to contact your audiologist or an ENT specialist to remove your wax filter from your hearing aid. The specialist will be the best person to learn about how to change hearing aid filters.
This is a much preferred and safer method than using water lavage. Water lavage, when gone faulty, can be a cause of permanent or temporary audible losses.
Wax Guards Stuck in Hearing Aid
When cleaning wax guards, they are often found to be stuck with the hearing aids. This can happen due to excess ear wax coagulation in the wax guard. Carefully clean it off with cotton and discard it.
Follow the steps below for complete cleaning.
- Brush off the hearing aid to remove the debris.
- Massage the dome tip with the thumb and push off the stubborn material.
- Wipe down the entire hearing aid gently.
Hearing Aid Domes And Noises
Hearing aid domes are small, mushroom, or bell-shaped structures placed at the top of a hearing aid. The domes are mostly made of rubber or silicone. The sole purpose of using a hearing aid dome is to make sure it properly adheres to your ear.
Check on your hearing aid if there is noise from it. Perhaps the noise is coming from a misplaced or clogged hearing aid dome. For this, you might have to change your wax guards too.
Still wondering, ‘how often should you change wax guards?’ It is preferred to change your hearing aid dome every once a month.
This will enhance the performance of the equipment and make it last longer. As you change your hearing aid domes, make sure it fits properly. If not, the hearing aid might start to whistle and make fuzzy noises. This can reduce your hearing capability or cause audible disturbances.
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Steps for Changing Your Used Hearing Aid Wax Guards
Are you still wondering how to change hearing aid wax guard? With the help of a changing tool, do the following to remove and discard the used wax guards.
- Screw the wax guard with the threaded side of the changing tool. Keep going for about 1 mm and stop as soon as you feel resistance. Pull out the changing tool along with the wax guard.
- Push the changing tool to the dispenser’s center along with the wax guard vertically. Then push it sideways to get rid of the filler from the wax guard.
- Rotate the chamber of the wheel in the wax guard and fill in the used wax guard in the open space. Wait till you hear a clipping sound. Adjust the new wax guard from the other end.
- Push the new wax guard to the hearing aid and bend the changing tool to release the wax guard.
- Your device is ready to use.
How Do I Clean The Wax Out Of My Hearing Aid?
Cleaning the wax guards is not a tough job. Since the wax guards are comparatively small and fragile, take care of them while doing so. Follow the steps instructed below.
- Softly brush the hearing aid clean after you’ve taken it out.
- Remove the earmold from the hearing aid and clean it.
- Gently remove the debris from the earmold and start cleaning the wax guards.
Do not clean your wax guards with water, alcohol, and rectified spirit.
A lot of products are now available as hearing aid products like Cerustop wax guards for Phonak. For cleaning them, you have to take them off first.
Next, you shift the used wax guard to your trash box and take another new one from the other then. Hear the click for confirmation. Put back your dome, and you are ready to use your hearing aids again!
Dangers of Unclean Wax Guards
Sooner or later, you have to change your wax guards. Keep in mind that unclean wax guards are unsafe. Sometimes the hearing aid wax guard is stuck in the ear.
They lead to hazardous to health infections, like otitis media, inner ear infection, acute mastoiditis, vestibular neuronitis, serous otitis media, infectious myringitis, etc.
How often should you change wax guards? Well, at least once a month. Otherwise, keep the wax guard clean for hearing properly through your hearing aid.
Too much air blowing, rattling noises, or hissing in your ear even after wearing hearing aids are pointers that your wax guards need to be changed.
Conclusion
To sum up the answer,” how often should you change wax guards?” it’s best to say once every month, depending upon your ear wax. In case you have more ear wax, try to be a little more frequent in changing it.
Make sure you are doing it with utmost care and precision not to harm the device’s interior. Keep a check on how fine your device is working.
The FAQs About Changeing Wax Guards
Why Does My Hearing Aid Whistle When I Put My Hand Near it?
Generally, hearing aids do not whistle unless there are any obstructions on the inside. Sometimes it can give off high-pitched noises and so you might be unable to hear correctly.
A few reasons why your hearing aid whistles are:
- Ear wax buildup
- High volume
- Incorrect fittings
- Broken or misaligned components
- Some other causes include excessive jaw movements, giving hugs, wearing hats, etc.
To avoid this, make sure you check your hearing aid regularly, keep the tip secured and keep the device free from obstructions.
How can I tell if my hearing aid is working?
Your hearing aid starts working the moment you switch it on. Place your batteries properly. If it doesn’t work, try flipping out the battery and reinserting it.
What should you clean your hearing aid domes with?
It’s best to clean your hearing aid domes with soft cotton pads or cotton items of clothing. Try not to use any thread-like material. Highly advisable not to use alcohol or anything that will react with the surface of the domes. Even avoid using water!
How long does a hearing aid last?
The key to a long-lasting hearing aid is its proper maintenance. When taken care of, a hearing aid lasts for more than three to seven years. Other factors that affect longevity are instrument buildups, maintenance, amount of wear and tear, etc.
