What do I need to replace on my in-the-ear hearing aids?

I’m often asked by new and existing customers for help finding hearing aid accessories. For many people, it can be quite a task when faced with hundreds of seemingly similar looking products that we have on the website. 

Let’s first look at the terminology of different parts of hearing aids that need regular replacing. I’m going to start with in-the-ear products in this blog. 

Besides the batteries, the most important part to replace on an in-the-ear hearing aid is the ‘wax guard.’ This is the tiny, usually circular ring found on the very end of the hearing aid (on the opposite end to where the battery is inserted). Inside the ring there is a gauze-like mesh, which may even be nano-coated for extra resistance to moisture. On average, most people will need to replace their wax guard with a new one every 4-6 weeks. 

Most hearing aids manufacturers use their own brand wax guard, and it is important to match like for like. This can be particularly tricky where 2 of 3 wax guards from different manufacturers look almost identical. For example, Starkey hearing aids usually use a ‘HearClear’ wax guard, a white ringed circular mesh. But some ReSound, Widex and Phonak products also use a white ringed wax guard, but called a ‘Cerustop’ or C-stop which is a slightly different size.  

Here are some of our best selling wax guards:

On some in-the-ear hearing aids, a ‘dome’ is worn over the end of the in-the-ear hearing aid. An example is the Signia Silk. Domes can also be referred to as ‘eartips’ or ‘fitting tips’ and are available in different sizes and styles. These can function as an additional wax protection layer as well as a way to slightly change the physical wearing comfort of the hearing aid in the ear canal. Many people confuse domes with wax guards, but they are separate items within the hearing aid industry. 

Here are some of our bestselling domes:

Some in-the-ear hearing aids also have replaceable ‘mic covers’ – which help to prevent dust and dirt getting into the microphone opening. E.g. Oticon O-caps.  

Matching up all these elements of hearing aid manufacturer /model / dome / wax guard /mic cover can be rather overwhelming the first time one has to do it, and particularly if you are having to find information for a product from a national chain or from the NHS.  

Many customers email a photo of their hearing aid, and this provides a great starting point to try to help work out what’s needed.

Hearing Direct supplies accessories for all the major hearing aid manufacturers, and we’d love to help. Audiology@hearingdirect.com