They are 3.5 years old. This morning inserted the right HA; dead. On removing it the tube separated from the receiver. (No problem removing receiver from ear.) I’m not sure exactly what failed, but the audiologist who replaced the receiver and tube suggested replacement every six months, unless I just want to wait until failure to replace. Cost at this venue is $75 each.
Any informed estimates of a prudent replacement interval?
Depends on who is paying for it? Under warranty replace as often as you can. 
If you are paying for replacement, then wait for them to fail. That is, if you can afford to suffer the down time, or if you maybe have spares (I do).
So he’s suggesting you pay 150 bucks every six months to replace the receivers eh 
, I get these on ebay for 40 bucks a pair
So here’s a question - if one gets Real Ear Measurements (REM) with a new fitting, if replacing receivers should REM be done again? How much variance does one receiver (of the same size) have from another?
need Bongo to chime in to answer that one
The average is probably more like yearly but many people get longer. I would be inclined to change them a bit earlier next time but if the first set lasted 3.5 years why would you want to buy new ones again after only 6 months? I do understand not wanting them to break off in your ears but there is a big difference between 3.5 years and 6 months. The price also sounds expensive.
Six months? Way too soon. And when a new one is put on, Real Ear is probably not necessary again. There may be minor tolerance issues with receivers but the prescription is stored in the circuit so there should be negligible change.
This is assuming that the new receivers will perform to spec like the old ones, which may not be the case.
I would want REM to be redone if I get new receivers, but whether your provider is willing to go through that trouble or not is another story.
Hmmm… REM. The provider from whom I bought these aids is 3,000 miles from where I live. The provider from whom I got the replacement receivers is 460 miles – I was traveling last week. She’s a Phonak specialist. She didn’t mention REM.
By coincidence (I think) my unanswered question posted Apr 2015 about REM on the DIY sub-forum was bumped yesterday – DIY REM (Real Ear Measurement)? - #6 by Markismus
I can do some fitting changes on a DIY basis, but for REM I’d be paying a provider a-la-carte. There is a local provider who did an audiogram and re-fitting in January; I guess I could ask for a price quote on REM.
Hi! What seller on ebay? Lowest I see are about $53 a pair…
Thank you! Nick
Ideally, none. Practically, a dB or so, they might sound louder than your old ones due to wax ingress or other damage, or the deterioration of the Litz wire at the failure point.
The gain profile would be exactly the same though, so no need for a new REM.
a vendor from canada who sells them by the pair, but he doesnt always have every size,
goes by name headphonehq---- search for unitron phonak receivers
Got it… found him… thank you very much Bob!
Nick
Another question: What kind of symptoms do you get when receivers need to be replaced (other than if they just die)?
Thanks again! NIck
The signal can get scratchy like a bit like radio static as the signal goes in and out. But often they just fail.
Recently one of my Phonak Audeo V90 wires broke, but thankfully only electrically. I have always been concerned about the wire breaking into two pieces mechanically and loosing the expensive behind the ear piece. I wear wire frame glasses which help hold the HA’s in place but I assume the bows stress the wires and the BTE’s can’t sit that snugly between my ear and my head. Any solutions to this concern, or is it rare?
Thanks for your replies!!
Nick
Of course you will replace fewer receivers if you remove them by pulling on the concha lock, sport lock or whatever else you wish to call it. After all you were taught early in life not to pull a plug out of the wall by the cord. Why pull the receiver out by its’ cord.
Some of us do not use locks so no other way to remove them.