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Earwax plays an important role in keeping dirt, debris, and germs from getting inside your ears, but having too much of it can be a problem. Excess earwax can actually impact your hearing by blocking the ear canal, which is especially difficult if you wear hearing aids.[1] Fortunately, hearing aid filters can prevent wax from building up and damaging your hearing aids.
Let’s explore what hearing aid wax filters are and discover how and when to replace them for optimal hearing.
Hearing aid wax filters are plastic screens that cover the sound outlet of your hearing aid. The guards are designed to prevent wax and debris from entering the hearing aid and damaging the receiver and other delicate internal components.
Wax guards attach to the hearing aid to protect it from damage.
Hearing aid filters are not all the same. The terminology for wax guards and filters is sometimes used interchangeably. However, they are not a universal piece of equipment.
Each hearing aid brand has filters designed to fit its products. Some filters will only fit a specific model of hearing aid. Hearing aid wax guard sizes can vary depending on the model of hearing aid you have. For this reason, it’s important to buy filters that are designed for the specific make and model of your hearing aid.
Have questions about the type of hearing aid wax filters you need? Find a nearby clinic and schedule an appointment with a hearing health care provider.
Hearing aid filters are easy to change; the process doesn’t require any special equipment. Regardless of the brand, wax filters will be packaged with everything you need. Remove the old filter and insert the new filter.
Depending on the brand of hearing aid wax guard you have, the applicator may be disc-shaped or U-shaped. However, they usually have a pin or peg for removing the old filter, with the new filter attached on the opposite side.
If you’re wondering how often to change hearing aid filters, it can depend on the individual. Most people should change their wax filters every two to four weeks.
Some people naturally have more earwax, and it has nothing to do with hygiene. [2] If you have a lot of earwax, you will likely need to change your filters more regularly.
Sticking to a regular schedule will help you stay on top of your hearing aid maintenance. However, you can change your filters more regularly if you notice any of the following:
Dealing with a lot of earwax? Use Amplifon’s scheduling tool to request an appointment with a hearing health care specialist. Most people clear earwax naturally, but excessive buildup is more common in people who use hearing aids. [3]
Tip: When changing the filters, it’s a good time to clean your hearing aids as well. This is an important part of hearing aid maintenance so that your devices last as long as possible.
No, you shouldn’t reuse wax guards. They are designed as single-use equipment. Once they collect debris or wax, the guards become unusable, even if you try washing them.
If the wax guard is correctly inserted in the hearing aid as part of regular maintenance and cleaning, it’s uncommon for them to detach. In the event your filter gets stuck in your ear, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Instead, seek immediate help from your audiologist or a doctor, who can remove it safely.
Request an appointment at a hearing care provider near you.
Sources
1. Medline Plus. “Ear Wax.” Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
2. National Library of Medicine. “Outer ear infection: Research summaries – What helps if earwax builds up?” Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279354/
3. National Library of Medicine. “Ear wax management in primary care: what the busy GP needs to know.” Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9888562/
