Daily use · Comfort
How to insert Philips HearLink in the ear: step by step for both styles
Inserting the hearing aid correctly is the basis for comfort and sound. This guide goes through both styles of Philips HearLink 50, step by step, the common mistakes, and what to do when something does not feel right.
Before you start
- Clean, dry hands.
- Sit at a table with a towel spread on it, so a hearing aid that falls is not damaged.
- A mirror in front of you, at least in the first weeks.
- Identify which hearing aid goes in which ear. How to identify them is in the manufacturer's guide. If you are not sure, ask to be shown at the fitting.
- Always start with the same ear. A fixed habit shortens the learning.
What goes into the ear in each style
| miniRITE R | miniBTE R | |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the ear | The body of the hearing aid | The body of the hearing aid |
| What reaches the canal, according to Philips documents | A miniFit Detect speaker with a dome, or MicroShell Detect | A hook or a thin tube. What is attached at the end is decided at the fitting |
| Dome types listed in Philips documents | OpenBass, Bass with a double vent, Power, Grip Tip | According to the manufacturer's guide |
| Sizes listed in Philips documents | 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm (5 mm only as OpenBass with the 60 speaker) | According to the manufacturer's guide |
| Who chooses | Decided at the fitting | Decided at the fitting |
The table summarises what appears in Philips documents. Which part suits you is decided at the fitting, and you do not change a part yourself.
miniRITE R: step by step
- Hold the hearing aid so the thin speaker wire points forward and the dome points down.
- Place the body of the hearing aid over the ear, so it sits behind it.
- Hold the wire close to the dome, and gently insert the dome into the opening of the canal with a soft inward movement.
- If it is hard to insert, you can gently pull the earlobe down with the other hand.
- Straighten the wire so it lies close to the side of the head and does not stick out.
- Check in the mirror: the wire lies close, and the dome does not look as if it is coming out of the canal.
miniBTE R: step by step
- Place the body of the hearing aid over the ear, so it sits behind it.
- Gently insert into the canal whatever is attached at the end of the hook or tube, as you were shown at the fitting.
- Make sure the hook or tube is not twisted or pinched.
- Check in the mirror that the hearing aid sits firmly and that no part sticks out.
How to take it out
Take it out gently and in reverse order: first what is inside the canal, then the body of the hearing aid behind the ear. Exactly how to hold it is in the manufacturer's guide. After taking it out, clean it according to the cleaning guide and place it in the charger. Cleaning: Cleaning a Philips hearing aid.
This page deals only with Philips HearLink 50. For the general guide, which suits all types of hearing aids, including in-the-ear: How to insert and remove a hearing aid.
Common mistakes
- Inserting while standing and in a hurry, without a mirror.
- Mixing up right and left.
- A dome that did not go in far enough and comes out after a few minutes.
- A wire or tube left sticking out of the ear.
- Pushing with force when something does not go in easily.
When your hands do not cooperate
Not everyone manages from the first day, and that is fine. Practise a few times a day, at a calm time. A family member can help at the beginning, and it is better if they learn exactly the same method. Guides for family members: Philips HearLink for caregivers and family members · For families and caregivers (in Hebrew).
When to contact us
- The dome stayed inside the ear: do not try to remove it with any tool; see a professional.
- The hearing aid keeps falling out: contact G-Sound. Which part suits you is decided at the fitting.
If there is pain, discomfort that does not pass, or a sudden change in hearing, see a doctor.
G-Sound is an authorized marketer of Philips hearing aids. All Philips products, including parts and accessories, can be ordered through G-Sound. The whole series is on the page Philips HearLink.
Related guides
- Domes for Philips HearLink: types, sizes and replacement.
- The wax filter in Philips HearLink: when and how to replace it.
- Volume and programs on Philips HearLink: once the hearing aid sits correctly.
Product information sources
- Philips — HearLink 50 miniRITE · user guide 273310UK and technical data 270403UK · checked 14.10.2026
- Philips — HearLink 50 miniBTE R · technical data 285251UK · checked 14.10.2026
English version: 4 November 2026 · Written by the G-Sound editorial team. This is G-Sound's website, not a Philips website, and it is not operated by Philips. The information is general and does not replace a check-up or professional advice.
More in English
Frequently asked questions
Questions about inserting Philips HearLink in the ear
How do I know which hearing aid goes in which ear?
According to the manufacturer's guide. If you are not sure, ask to be shown how to tell them apart at the fitting, and always place the hearing aids in the charger in the same order.
Which dome size suits me?
This is decided at the fitting. According to Philips documents, miniRITE R has domes in sizes 5 to 12 mm, and the 5 mm size exists only as an OpenBass dome with the 60 speaker. Do not change the dome size or type yourself.
The dome stayed inside the ear. What do I do?
Do not try to remove it yourself with any tool. See a professional to have it removed. Afterwards, you can order a new dome through G-Sound.
It is not comfortable after inserting. What do I do?
Check that the hearing aid is on the right side and that the dome or tube went in all the way and is not bent. If there is pain, discomfort that does not pass, or a sudden change in hearing, see a doctor.
Can I switch between a hook and a tube on miniBTE R myself?
According to Philips documents, miniBTE R has the option of a hook or a thin tube. The choice is made at the fitting, and you do not change it yourself.
Can domes be ordered through G-Sound?
Yes. All Philips products, including parts and accessories, can be ordered through G-Sound. Call or write on WhatsApp with the hearing aid model and the dome type.
Please do not send sensitive medical information in a message. We go over the relevant details on the phone.
Something does not sit right?
G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids. Tell us the model and what you feel, and we will point you to the next step.
Tell us the model and what you feel, and we will point you to the next step.
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