Hear and There
By Batteryjac


A major repair lab states that over 90% of hearing aids that come in for repair are malfunctioning due to ear wax or organic debris.

A dispenser reports major success with the problem of “clogged” aids” by using simple topical hydrogen peroxide (2-3% solution) purchased in a local pharmacy to clean both receivers and microphones. A pint costs about $0.50. Here’s how it benefited the practice:

(1) Eliminated in many cases the necessity of depriving the customer from using their aids thereby increasing customer satisfaction.

(2) Customers came to “own” their wax or debris problem and not transfer fault to the dispenser or the hearing aids. Many customers began a regimen of cleaning their ear canals. (Always a good thing.)

(3) Competitive users who came in for repair felt that they were “unjustly” charged for repairs by their original dispensers (Great way to get new customers.)

It is suggested that before you start using this process practice first with some old aids that you might having lying around. This way before you do this in front of a patient you’ll be comfortable and seem like an expert at the procedure. If you don’t have any old aids available try it with aids that are under a lab’s warranty. The worst case scenario is that you still have to send the aid out. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WEAR GLOVES.

(1) Use a syringe or an eye dropper and “inject” the hydrogen peroxide into the receiver tube (port). The organic matter will begin to “bubble” and then can be easily extracted by using a vacuum tool or wax pick. This procedure can be repeated as is necessary until all the organic matter is removed.


(2) When the offending organic matter is removed it may take some time for the receiver to dry out (hydrogen peroxide evaporates pretty quickly) and for the aid to be restored to normal working order. Many times a vacuuming or drying process can go a long way in helping. The same process can be can also used to clean out “clogged” (usually dead skin cells) microphones. Sometimes the aids have to be kept overnight if the process involves several “baths.”


(3) With BTEs just “stick” the whole ear mold into a tumbler of hydrogen peroxide. If the wax has gotten into the tubing remove the tubing from the ear hook and inject the hydrogen peroxide into the tube. This process can save a whole re-tubing job. Dry out the tube using air pressure.

(4) You can also try submersing the entire aid in hydrogen peroxide overnight as a last resort and then drying it.

(5) Show the patient the process (hydrogen peroxide in a tumbler) with the BTEs. If the user is an ITE user demonstrate a maintenance process by just holding the receiver end of the aid in a capful of hydrogen peroxide. And then give them the bottle of hydrogen peroxide. (They’ll love you for it.)


Please feel free to pass this information on to another dispenser who you feel will put this information to good use. Not everyone is on our mailing list.

Another great way to show your customers that you are concerned about their well being is by offering them the opportunity to use our rechargeable batteries instead of disposables.

www.batteryjac.comHear and There
By Batteryjac


A