Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

Phonak c-Shells Wax Guards

22 replies582 viewsLast reply

Jump
Link to this topic
Reply
Edited

I purchased Phonak Audeo Infinio Sphere last summer online at great savings, after making sure a local audiologist would be willing to provide and follow-up. At the end of August, the local audi ordered c-shells for me and the result has been very good. But on the last visit in, she told me that the Phonak c-shell design had an issue with retention of the , and sure enough yesterday I realized my right aid was missing its wax guard. I tried to install a new one, but apparently there was insufficient friction in the fit to hold in any new wax guard. I called the audi today and was told they are seeing this a lot and will be contacting Phonak for a resolution. I was wondering if others are seeing this, and if so, are there any suggestions? Maybe someone sells a slightly larger wax guard to close the gap. I’m afraid to wear that hearing aid, because I was told that if ear wax gets down into the c-shell, you can kiss it goodbye.

10 people in this conversation5 min readJump to latest
Does kind of Phonak wax filters HF4 vs HF3 Does it matter?
I chose the UP receiver for my future cShell. Does it matter much acoustically if I choose the standard (for UP) HF4 filter over the HF3? The HF3 is theoretically better, but larger. I am aware that physical constraints are possible, because HF3 is ~3mm diameter and HF4 is 2.2mm. [Screenshot_20251014_180018_Adobe Acrobat]

Thanks, OcramSagev. I ordered a pack of the H3 filters to see is they will fit, which I sort of doubt. In the meantime, the Audiologist has been in contact with Phonak and told them this is not an isolated case. Phonak will, “as a courtesy”, remake the c-shells, hopefully with different materials, design, or process.

Frankly , I have no clue which one is the correct one , I just shared the other discussion . I hope H3 is the right one. Let us know

Yes Wamaruna I am having the same proIbem, in fact I just ordered a second set of C Shells, don,t think my audiologist is aware of this problem , she is on vacation this week but we will talk with her next week for sure!

Probably not helpful, but some are reluctant to use enough pressure to really seat the filter.

I have the same problem - the filters don't "click" into the mold. It's almost impossible to insert a new one as the filter doesn't detach from the fitting tool and I have lost several filters from the molds - maybe still in my ears ! I sent back the molds to Phonak but they came back the same. Seems like this is a known design problem.

Edited

Perhaps I have an earlier version of cShells from when the Infinio Spheres first came out (late 2024). Mine take Cerustop . Mine click into place, and I've never lost one. In fact, I vacuum the wire screens with a Jodi-Vac, and since my molds have no vent, the seal of the Jodi-Vac needle pressed against the wax guard screen becomes so complete that the air-blown ball meter no longer stays suspended in air and drops to the bottom of the Jodi-Vac syringe. Yet when I pull the needle away from the screen, the wax guard remains stuck in the mold, not to the needle tip.

I have pretty waxy ears, and I do seem to have a slight problem with liquidy wax seeping in between the mold opening and the side of the wax guard. I've stopped cleaning the wax guard area with alcohol wipes for that reason, as the alcohol undoubtedly helps "liquefy" wax contamination around the wax guard area. A fibrous Kimwipe is "grippy" enough to remove most wax residue remaining after carefully cleaning a mold surface with the Jodi-Vac (blunt) needle.

I think Cerustop only comes in one size. I've had the little grommet the filter sits in come loose a couple of times. The filter definitely won't seat properly without that. I don't think this is OP's issue though.

You probably lost the small plastic fitting that the fits into. We have had this discussion before and I don’t believe the larger wax guards will solve your issue. I don’t know if your Audi can fix that or whether it has to be returned to Phonak.

@dmrodger said:

I've sent my cShells back to Phonak for a second time - audi charges $90 to do this

? I though that if you send for remake it's free if it would be done within 3 months of receiving cShell. At least that is inbmy cShell warranty card.

 

@dmrodger said:

so if this doesn't fix it this time, I won't be doing it again

Please don't resign. I've had a lot more attempts to get the perfect cShell, that requires patience but was worth it.

And it's really worth it in case of your hearing loss. Which receiver power do you have? P?

I've had the Ultra's for about a year now - I think the $90 is what the audi charges - not Phonak.

Thanks. Yes P receivers - I will persevere - I had slim tips to start with and hated them so I'm having to use them again while the cShells are away

What diameter of vent do you have? If you like to experiment, you can try UP receivers - they have better high frequency amplification. I experimented with UP with good results.

Thanks. I'm not sure what size the vents are on the cShells - I'll ask my audi about UP receivers when I next see her but I guess that will need new cShells being made and I could end up with the same problem with the new molds I guess.

I have had the same problem with Phonak Sphere's and cShells. would no longer snap into the cShells on both ears but found the plastic insert for one that just fell out. I'm using the molds without the wax guards now while waiting for the new molds and finding that quite satisfactory. I notice a slight difference in volume. I have cleaned the molds with alcohol wipes and wonder if that might have caused the adhesive to fail holding the insert in place. Just a guess!

Interesting article - thanks. I'll see what the molds are like when I get them back from Phonak and let you know.

Related discussions