How to Handle Broken Hearing Aid Tubing

If you have a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid you’re likely used to dealing with the tubing that connects the components. This tubing helps transfer sound that is picked up and amplified by the hearing aid, which is behind the ear, and send it on down the line to the ear. This tubing part of the hearing aid is very important and if there is a crack or damage to the tubing of the hearing aid, sound may not travel properly into the ear; it may sound distorted or quiet. So what should you do in order to prevent this?

The tubing of your hearing aid is a flexible yet ridged piece of plastic. It is clear in color and helps the sound travel from the hearing aid into the ear for a person to hear. This tubing over time will dry out and will need to be replaced regularly so it is your job to check to make sure that it is always in tip-top shape. But how do you do this?

• Be sure to check your tubing each time your take out your hearing aids. Just as you are supposed to clean your hearing aids each time your take them out get in the habit of also checking your tubing. Check to see if there are any cracks or discoloration. Check to see how stiff or flexible it is. If there are any cracks, even small hairline cracks, any discoloration or extreme stiffness of the tubing take it in to have replaced.
• Cracks in the tubing are a key sign that the tubing needs to be replaced. A crack in the tubing can cause distortion or lack of sound getting from the hearing aid to the ear of the person. A person may think that there is something wrong with their hearing aid and it needs to be replaced, but in reality it is as simple as changing the tubing and the hearing aid works fine again.
• Discoloration of the tubing can be a key sign that there is moisture present in the hearing aid. Moisture from wax production or from sweat will make its way into the tubing of the hearing aid; this is inevitable. However, it can be prevent by properly ensuring that the hearing aid is cleaned daily and taken out when moisture is present. Though it should be noted that the tubing can change color due to make-up application and hair dye.

If you feel that there is a problem with your BTE hearing aid see your hearing health professional as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it. Tubing problems are easy to fix and can be done at your hearing health professionals clinic. Tubing does need to be regularly changed but the frequency of changing is different for every person so be sure to go over tubing changes with your hearing health professional.