Hearing Aids - Anyone Know Of A Liquid Which Clears Blocking Wax?

[jourdain2]

OH is in hospital.  Nurses complaining that he doesn't do as asked.  I discovered that his hearing aids weretotally blocked by wax, so he couldn't hear them. They don't seem to think it is their job to clear them.  I've done my best but he has ear moulds and one of the tubes in one of them is totally blocked and I couldn't ream it out.

Does anyone know of a liquid that I could dip the mould into to get rid of the blockage?  Please?

[wolf63]

From Google .

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/maintenance-and-cleaning

[jourdain2]

Thanks Wolf, I'll investigate that.  I'm still cross that theynever thought to try putting his hearing aids in!

[Buenchico]

I've just spent some time looking at websites selling hearing aid accessories but the only cleaning products listed seem to be solely for removing stains, rather than wax.  So I suspect that you might be out of luck 🤔

Does this help at all?

[jourdain2]

Thanks, Buen - but Oh's aids have a 90 degree kink in them and that is where the wax conglomerates.  I cant manage to ream it all out. That's why I was looking to see if there was a wax-dissolving fluid  that anyone knew about.  It makes such a difference - they had him down as DOLL - but he just couldn't hear!

[Buenchico]

I'd be tempted to use the same stuff as that which you might put into your ears to clear wax, such as olive oil:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/

Searching Google for 'olive oil in hearing aids' brings up this AI response:
"If you wear hearing aids and experience earwax buildup, using olive oil drops or sprays (like Earol) can help soften the wax, making it easier to remove and preventing issues with hearing aid performance".

However Google's AI is far from perfect.  Proceed at your own risk!

[smurfchops]

You can buy thin cleaning wires on eBay.  Unscrew the plastic that goes in the ear, I put mine in an egg cup with warm water and some white vinegar.  Let them soak.  When they are warm, use the wires to clear them out, and straighten the kink, I just gently pull it straight, so the wire goes right through.  All the gunk should come out. 

[THECORBYLOON]

Is there an audiology department at the hospital you can speak to or visit?

[bednobs]

could you ask his hearing aid dept for new tubes?

[calmck]

Otex are olive oil based ear drops. Try it and the cleaning coils smurfchops mentions

[jourdain2]

I've asked at the hospital (Scarborough) and there isn't an audiology dept..,  So  - over to me again.

I've been ringing and ringing the number I have for audiology and nothing happens for about 15 mins - and then the phone goes off.

There is a tiny tube - no one seems to have given him anything to clear it - I'm using sweeping brush bristles ... anything I can find to clear it.  No one has supplied anything.  Such a basic need - and such a rubbish service to make it workable.

[jourdain2]

Yes, I'll have a go wih Otex...but that takes some time.  Thanks.

[Rosetta]

Do they have an audiology test in your local Specsavers or Boots, if so could you phone them for advice.

How is Mr J at the moment jourdain, I hope he is making steady progress. Basics in nursing care are not what they used to be, and its far too easy to write off communication problems as memory related. The Nurse Practitioners are sometimes better at sorting things out

[237SJ]

When I had a grommet that was blocked with wax I was given 3% hydrogen peroxide to put into the ear.  Otex contains this but I would check with someone first that it is OK

[Buenchico]

^^^  Quote (from the Otex website):
"If you’re using hearing aids, you shouldn’t use Otex".

Source:
https://www.otexear.com/ear-health/ear-health-essentials/hearing-aids-and-ear-wax/

[237SJ]

Buenchico - the OP is referring to using it to clean a hearing aid, not putting it into ears whilst using a hearing aid

[barry1010]

I take ours to the place they came from when there's any problems. Sorted while I wait - tubes and/or filters changed.

[Buenchico]

237SJ:
I would assume that if the manufacturers of Otex thought it a good idea to use their product to clean hearing aids, they'd have mentioned it on their website.  As they've not, it might be best to adopt extreme caution when considering such an option.

[netherfield]

Is it the that the tubes are getting blocked? 

With Mrs N's aids there are wax guards, usually called Cerustop, replacing these and domes is all we've had to do to solve wax problems.

[barry1010]

Not all hearing aids have replaceable wax filters.  All dome aids do but some mould earpieces don't.

[jourdain2]

Thanks all of you - things to try at least.  No - they don't have a wax filter.

I could take them - 1 at a time - to the audiology service about a mile from the hospital, but you need an appointment. As I say, I've been ringing and ringing them to no avail.

Basic care seems to be lacking.  Yesterday I arrived just after lunch. I asked if he'd eaten his lunch, they said 'No'. When I saw him I realised that no-one had given him his top dental plate - so he couldn't eat! It's rubbish!