Hearing aid guru needed - can you help me help my elderly dad please?

[catinthehat2]

He has over the ear hearing aids, the tubes of which which are getting completely scuzzed up with earwax.

Unfortunately, he can't really see to clean them out, and is a bit unreliable anyway so I was going to do it for him.

Looking at this method in Wiki how, do you think this would work if I had a go?

Is the plastic tube supposed to detach from the electronic bit, so I can soak it?

Please, how can I approach this?

I wil keep this bumped as I realise this may be a big ask to find someone who knows the answer. Believe me I would more than grateful if someone could help me to help a really lovely guy who is very old now.
THanks in advance.

Catinthehat
x

hopeful bump..

Can't really comment, but I know that my mum detaches the tube from my sister's to clean. Could you use a pipecleaner to poke the wax through the tube, perhaps?

There is a very good hearing aid specialist near me, and if you get stuck, I can pass on his number.

Hello AgentP, thanks so much for replying...

..this looks hopeful.

Can I ask you one thing - is your sister's HA similar to the photo in the link above. I think I'm feeling braver about detaching bits if so.

I will obviously look up the exact model and enquire a bit more, so it's really just an indication I'm after (I don't see how I can get the crap out otherwise!).

It's just I hadn't a clue if the plastic tube should detach and then reattach IYSWIM.

Very grateful

Yes the tubing is supposed to detach but it does start to perish after about 6 months.
If they're NHS hearing aids get an appointment to get the tubing changed or if private the suppliers will do it for free.

Yes, very similar. But here's my tip - do it on a weekday morning so that if you can't put it back together, or of the tube perishes, you can take it to the audiology department or the supplier and get it fixed that day, so your dad won't be left deaf for a weekend.

Hey -
thanks very much both
You've given me hope, I will pursue this.

THANKS AGAIN!

just echoing the above, the NHS recommend getting the tubes replaced every 4-6 months and the audiology dept. in your hospital should do that for free. Give them a call. I didn't get mine done for a year - really gross!