Hearing Aid Repair San Diego CA

by Curtis Dickerson

It's easier to do than you realize, you don't need to make an appointment and it's inexpensive. Consumers who want to change the tubing in their hearing aids often don't know what size tubing is needed, and that is the important first step. Short of using a micrometer, the person who may be able to tell you the tubing size you need is the hearing health professional that made the impression for your hearing aid mold.

Another possibility is to contact the manufacturer that made the earmold. The hearing health professional that takes the impression sends that out to another facility where it is made into the earmold that is fitted to our hearing aids. The earmold is returned to the facility with the tubing already in place. There may be a record at that facility of your tubing size information. If neither tells you the size it could be that they don't know or may want to discourage you from taking matters into your own hands.

Now that you have decided to do your own tube change, we have the information to help you choose the proper tubing size and what tools, if necessary, to help you do the job. Our research information is from advice given by several earmold manufacturers and Volta Voice Nov/Dec 1999, and others. We have changed hearing aid tubing with great success and know that you can too! It is nice to do this quick tube change yourself, allowing you to start the day with clear, flexible tubing on your hearing aids.

To replace the tubing doesn't require any special knowledge. You need to have a desire to learn and to be comfortable using small tools: perfect if you are a do-it-yourself type of person with an interest in acquiring a new skill. You may find that specialized tools or cement are NOT a major requirement for this task. Read on to learn about the various tube sizes that are available. Don't let the list discourage you. For the most part the majority of these tubing sizes are not necessary. They are listed to better educate you before asking questions about your hearing aid tubing size.

Tools needed:
Hard (Lucite) earmolds: Straight Tubing or Preformed tubing. Earmold bore reamer, tubing inserter tool, and cement
Optional: tube-lock removal/inserter tool

Soft (silicone) or semi-soft (vinyl) earmolds: Straight tubing with or without tube lock, or preformed tubing with or without tube lock, earmold bore reamer, tubing inserter tool.
Optional: tube-lock removal/inserter tool.

Tubing Diameter Sizes:

#12 Standard (.085 x .125): most often used for children (smaller earmolds)
#13 Standard (.076 x .116): generally used
#13 Medium (.076 x .122): more often used
#13 Thick (.076 x .130): most often used
#13 Extra Thick (.076 x .142): used with aids for severe to profound hearing losses
#14 Standard (.066 x.166): r...