Educational information, not medical advice. This article is written to help you understand common ear and hearing issues. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If your symptoms are severe, sudden, or persistent, please consult a qualified doctor or audiologist. For urgent symptoms (sudden hearing loss, bleeding from the ear, severe pain with dizziness, or a head injury), seek medical care the same day.

Replace domes roughly every one to three months and wax filters whenever sound gets muffled or weak, often every few weeks. Remove the old part gently, fit the new one until it clicks, and use the tool that came with your aid. Follow your brand's instructions, and ask us if unsure.

The short answer

Domes are the soft tips at the end of a receiver-in-canal aid, and wax filters (wax guards) are tiny screens that keep wax out of the speaker. Replace domes about every one to three months, and change the wax filter when sound becomes weak or muffled, which for many people is every two to four weeks. Use fresh parts of the right size and the tool from your kit.

Before you start

Wash and dry your hands and work on a clean, well-lit surface, over a table so small parts do not get lost.
Have your replacement domes or wax filters and the manufacturer's tool ready. Parts differ by brand and model, so use the ones intended for your aid.
Switch the aid off, or remove the battery or take it off the charger.

How to change a dome

Hold the speaker part of the aid firmly near the tip.
Pull the old dome straight off, using your fingertips. Some domes are held by a small clip.
Check the speaker for wax and wipe it with a dry cloth or the brush.
Push the new dome onto the speaker until it is fully seated, and gently tug to check it is secure.
Make sure the dome is the right size. If it feels loose, whistles or falls off, or feels tight and sore, tell your audiologist. See ear moulds vs domes.

How to change a wax filter

Hold the aid so that the filter opening faces you.
Use the tool that came with your aid, with its empty end, to remove the old filter by inserting the tip and pulling straight out.
Use the other end of the tool, loaded with a new filter, and push it in until it clicks.
Discard the old filter, and wipe the tip clean.

The exact tool differs between brands, and instructions are often on the pack. Ask us to show you, or see how to clean and maintain hearing aids.

Signs it is time to change

Sound seems weak, muffled or has dropped out.
The dome looks stiff, torn, discoloured or coated in wax.
The aid whistles more than it used to.
You have had a hot, sweaty or humid few weeks.

If it still does not sound right

If sound is weak after changing the filter, the speaker may be blocked or damaged and should be checked. See hearing aid not working and hearing aid repair and servicing. If you find it hard to handle small parts, our team can change them for you at any clinic or during a home visit.

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