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Cleaning small vents on custom earmolds

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I have custom molds and one has a fairly small vent (1.2mm) Cleaning wax from it can be a challenge. Went to Costco recently and asked them about it. They vacuumed it and then gave me what looks like dental floss for hearing aids! The ends are a stiff monofilament with a fluffier material in the middle. If this is a challenge for any of you, might be something to ask about. A needle and thread might also work.

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Interesting. The last time I went to my audiologist, about 4 months ago, they “cleaned” them but there was still wax in the vent. My molds are clear so I am able to see the wax. I should have asked for a refund. I have to imagine that what you were given is available on line. Do you have the name of the product? I’m thinking my audi will be clueless.

I have custom ear molds and I was given a clearing kit and and an instruction sheet for nightly cleaning of my hearing aids and ear molds. My vents are smaller than a mm.

What is the smallest vent size you can get or order for your custom ear mold?

And I’ve always used a very very thin plastic wire to clean my aid vents. Can you still use that to clean out wax on a small vent?

In reply to @hear2day

I think one can go with no vent at all, but I’m guessing that might make for moisture problems in the ear. I think the smallest I’ve see is 0.8mm. A think plastic wire is great, as long as it fit.

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You get this small Phonak Kit free when you buy aids from Boots Hearing Care in the UK, the smallest implament is for the 1.1 vent. Cheers Kev

What you should try is a christmas tree brush / proxabrush. The dental manufacturer GUM makes them. They make very soft bristle ones that serve the same purpose as what @kevels55 posted above. That’s what I used when I had vents on my other hearing aids. Current ones aren’t vented so I don’t need to worry too much.

Cleaning thin-tube (and the leetle holes in the eartip), my Audi gave me a few inches of what I am sure is Fishing Line, monofilament. Looks like 0.030" diameter. A bit bigger than a large sewing needle.

Turns out there’s no universal standard on this stuff. And they make super-thin for fly fishing and real-fat for yanking tuna and sharks. But 0.030" may be sold as “10 pound monofilament (plain Nylon)” and come in a 4,440 foot(!) roll for much less than a penny a foot. Plain, because “high strength” line is thinner. If you know a fisherperson, ask for a foot of any/all open reel/s on hand.

I use those tiny brush teeth cleaners. Work great. I’m going to try small pipe cleaners next. There are some choices much like that on Amazon.

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