Wax filter
A tiny screen at the speaker opening, inside the canal or at the tip of an in-the-ear hearing aid. It is meant to get blocked instead of the speaker. Filters protect against wax and dirt and are replaced as needed.
Consumables
Filters and wear parts in hearing aids
Small parts that are meant to be replaced, and that help keep the rest of the hearing aid better protected.
In short: a hearing aid has parts that are meant to wear and be replaced: wax filters that protect the speaker opening, domes, tubes and, on some hearing aids, microphone covers. Replacing them on time keeps the sound working properly and protects the hearing aid. Which parts your hearing aid has and how often they are replaced depends on the model and on the instructions you received at the fitting.
The main parts
Dome
The soft part at the tip of the speaker or the tube. It hardens and changes shape over time.
Tube
On a behind-the-ear hearing aid: a thin tube, or a tube connected to an earmould. It can harden, change colour or crack.
Microphone cover
Some models have a cover or screen over the microphone openings. It can also get blocked.
Signs to look out for
- The sound is weak, muffled or cuts out
- Dirt or wax can be seen on the filter or in the opening
- The dome or tube has hardened or changed colour
- The hearing aid starts to whistle or move in the ear
These signs do not always mean a part is worn. If you have replaced the relevant part and the problem has not gone away, contact service and repairs and describe what is happening, in which ear and since when.
What is worth having at home
If your hearing aid uses replaceable filters, it is worth having a filter kit at home that suits the model, and domes of the type and size chosen for you. Filters and domes from different makers are not interchangeable, and even within the same brand there are different types. So before buying, check what suits the model.
How to replace them is taught at the fitting appointment, according to the manufacturer's instructions. If it is hard to see or hold the small parts, the replacement can be done as part of service, or you can look into special fitting solutions (in Hebrew).
What is done as part of service
During service, parts such as filters and domes are replaced when needed, and the hearing aid is checked to make sure it is clean and working. When treatment beyond the wear parts is needed, for example replacing the tube in an earmould or checking the speaker, it is done after an inspection.
Further reading
Hearing aid types explained · Domes and filters · Cleaning hearing aids · Hearing aid maintenance · Service and repairs
English version: 3 November 2026 · Written by the G-Sound editorial team. General information; the type of hearing aid, the parts and the accessories are chosen after a test and according to the model.
More in English
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: filters and wear parts
How often do you replace a wax filter?
It depends on the model, on the amount of wax and on the instructions you received. Replace it as instructed, and whenever the filter looks blocked or the sound becomes weaker.
Can I use filters from another brand?
No. Filters are built for the opening of a specific speaker, and there are different types even within the same brand. Check what suits the model before buying.
I replaced the filter and the sound is still weak. What now?
The problem may be somewhere else. Contact service and describe what is happening, in which ear and since when. Do not take the hearing aid apart.
I find it hard to replace small parts. Is there a solution?
Yes. The replacement can be done as part of service, and sometimes a solution that makes handling easier can be looked into. Tell us what is hard.
Please do not send sensitive medical information in a message. We go over the relevant details on the phone.
Want to arrange it?
Service is by appointment: at the customer's home, at work, and sometimes in the everyday setting where the difficulty happens.
Call G-Sound about filters and wear parts for your model.
055-3333338G-Sound is an authorized marketer of Philips hearing aids.