Hi, I had the wire changed by my audiologist on my left HA a couple of days ago. I have now noticed some damage where the wire attaches to the HA. Is this normal? The hearing aid are only 2 months old and are the Spheres model. Should I be going back to the audiologist to get the aid replaced?
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@howbow. I would say it’s not normal, if it was damaged during receiver change, take it back.
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Yes definitely bring it up with them, that’s definitely been done changing the receiver over, they are super hard to remove so they probably have used something to pull the old one out and damaged it in the process, but very easy for them to order a new housing and change it over for you.
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Thanks for your reply. That’s what I was thinking. Hopefully my audiologist will agree.
I understand there’s been an issue with the interference fit of the new Sphere cases and receivers. I assume this will apply to the earliest units, but should lessen as they re-tool the moulds in the future.
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Not sure if Spheres are like the Phonak Lumity Life aid, but it turns out that you need to insert a PIN into the side of the “bean” close to where that wire plugs into the BTE part. The pin pushes out a small bar (like the one in watchbands when you change them out). That’s how the speaker/receiver + ear wire are safely unplugged from the hearing aid “bean”.
I can see an open hole RIGHT THERE. As if your audi didn’t use a pin or perhaps didn’t know to use one? So the dang wire was YANKED OUT WITH BRUTE FORCE.
In fact, I’d given a TUG on my own ear wire after the RIGHT aid failed. When it simply wouldn’t come out, I took it in to my audi, and she showed me the pin.
Take it back. Get a new body for sure, cuz that hole will just let moisture and dust into the compartment and your aid will fail even FASTER.
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The spheres use a friction fit. No pin to push, but there are a fair number of reports of receiver damage in removing old ones to put new/different in. This is the first I’ve seen on damage to the body of the aid.
WH
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The sad thing about this is your fitter/audiologist knew they broke it and didn’t tell you.
Yes, I would have the aid replaced. The damage could get worse the next time a receiver needs to be replaced.
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The waterproof case has been compromised. Definitely take it back. That was very sloppy work. They damaged it by with a pair of needle nose pliers , from the look of it.
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That would drive me NUTS! Folks spend a LOT of money on these hearing aids, and the Spheres are top-of-the-line. I’m not sure if “friction fit” is like a magnet, but whatever design they employed here it ain’t workin’. I don’t see why the ear wire + receiver can’t just plug in like a tiny two-prong plug thing? So it’d take a PUSH to insert it, and a light PULL to disconnect it from the “bean”.
Well now I done got me a PIN so I can remove the ear wire + receiver from my 312 Lumity Life aids, and hey, I think I can use the same device for swapping licenses on my two pairs of Roger On iN mics. 
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They should be under warranty. Phonak will replace it. My right one was damaged changing receivers and they replaced the receiver, electronics, and shell.
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I can’t tell from the picture how deep that mark is. There is an inner seal which should continue to keep the receiver connection protected. Due to the tightness of the connection the receiver wire frequently can not be pulled out (in the manner the Phonack instructional video shows) without damaging the wire going into the hearing aid. Frequently the wire must be removed by prying it out with some instrument. I use a pair of needle nose tweezers (thanks to a suggestion from someone on the Faceboook forum) which may leave a scar. In any event it will do no harm to discuss this with your audiologist.
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Did you revisit the hearing place and insist on it being remedied?
Just noticed this post and absolutely that was a brute force approach with inapt tool or technique. Very amateurish and also dishonest for not being upfront about it with you. Stand up for your rights!
If you should ever want to sell or trade them, that is a killer.
And might in fact have some other hidden damage or lead to future issues.
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Yes, the aid is back with the hearing practice. A different audiologist agreed that the damage was done when removing the wire. I am waiting for a replacement.
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Glad to hear that… BUT:
Have you noticed how the phrase “Best Practices” is often used to promote what the speaker is presenting, suggesting or selling - as if the approach is the true gold standard in a particular approach or practice?
I hope you will get your repaired aid very soon and are not missing it, but I have to suggest that in keeping with best practices I would have expected the vendor to use the following approach upon your return:
"Yes! We would have been calling you soon. My associate did not want to worry you any… so he did not say anything at the time, but occasionally there is damage to the shell. Unfortunately we cannot stock all the many models of hearing aids that our patients prefer, so in cases like this we order a new one, to lend you, while yours is being repaired. They were out of stock, but as soon as we receive the new unit, you will be getting a call to bring yours in for repair, we apologize for delay. Here are some extra batteries (or domes, or a travel pouch as an expression of our regrets!“).”
You know it only takes five minutes to connect a new instrument and copy all your settings to that. The outer shells are inexpensive and some might be field replaceable. The body of the instrument remains outside your ear, and can be fully sanitized. So as long as YOUR unit is under warranty, you should be able to utilize it or a replacement -fully.
I don’t wish to be difficult, but respect goes both ways. Today as the industry has become so competitive, a customer who invests with the expectation of service, should indeed receive it. It costs little and means a lot. Should not “best practices” include how patients/customers are treated?
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I wish I lived in your world 
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There is only one world, so we should all try to make it better.
Nearly ten years ago, about six months into an investment in HAs, something similar happened to mine. The AuD, on his own, explained what he was doing. That I should return, next week to get the temporary loaner, while mine was being repaired. At the time, he did explain why he was not just doing a simple swap… something about bookkeeping, or how the company bills… I don’t remember. But that and other service related treatments, resulted in my being a client of his for over a decade.
I did not take it for granted, but would probably asked for it, and I know many customers would too…if not offered. Of course, once I have to ask for it, the gesture loses its impact! For forty plus years, I have been in a service business that blends art with technology, and is a luxury. It is not essential. What is considered essential by both my clients and myself, is being treated right - doing the right thing - and the first step in that is CARING to do the right thing - being prepared, being attentive to detail, being sensitive to what I need to do my work, and what the client needs to receive in the way of product and service.
The hearing aids have a certain warranty period - right? That by definition is the life of the units we have invested in, right? So if we are deprived of the use of the item, for two weeks it is fair to expect a loaner. If a business feels that we should be able to do without his product for two weeks, then maybe we don’t really need it?
The damage to the aid looks as if a pin was used to pry out the receiver causing the case to be chipped. From other peoples comments it seems as if the receivers are extremely hard to remove. I am kind of surprised at this. But you should definitely be entitled to a new case.