Hi, Does anyone have a resource for hearing aid tubing with lock that I can buy for my Resounds? These are the larger heavy duty tubes that go into a custom mold.
Thanks!
Personal message sent.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your response and this resource, I will check it out. I don’t think I will go with the brass lock, however because I don’t see how these can work with my set up. I tried something similar (purchased on Amazon), but the brass lock was larger in diameter than the hole in my mold.
Maybe they were the wrong part ( retrofitted?), this can be an issue with Amazon, so have decided to stay away from ordering hearing aid supplies, or may things there, you just can’t trust the quality with some items.
Also seems like the brass could get stuck in the ear mold. I must be missing something with the brass locks… maybe you can enlighten me 
Thanks again!
Tubes locks are for children only?
I’ve never needed tubes locks and I have BTE Aids, thickwall tubing and silicone ear moulds.
you must be kidding, I have always had tube locks. currently have tubing in without and the tubing slides out of the mold often. I don’t understand how you can make that statement
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In 30 years, I’ve never had tube locks!!
When tubing starts to slide out, it’s because the tubing needs to be changed.
That’s what I’ve been taught.
Each to their own I guess?!
I don’t take my HAs out via pulling on the tubes either so that also helps.
Even ear moulds coming from an ear mould lab has never come with tube locks as an adult.
I don’t think that is true. I think it all depends on the mold manufacturer in whichever country you are in.
In my 20+ years of wearing BTE aids with silicon molds, most of them have had tubes with either brass or plastic locks on them, from the manufacturer.
Because of the shape of my ears, I cannot pull my HA’s out by the tubes anyway, they need to be rotated in/out via the mold.
But I find that the tubes with lock on them seal better than without or with being glue in. I hate them being glued in, the tubes deteriorate much faster inside the molds.
I have silicone earmolds and my tubes have always had the tube lock. I did try one time without the tube lock, but the tubes tend to slide out easy.
I did notice that the tubes with locks available on Amazon look like brass locks. But in reading the description, they are plastic. Maybe that’s why they were too large ?? Not sure.
But anyway, on the link I sent, I believe you can also buy the tubes without the brass locks.
Whatever works the best for you.
Are you using the correct size tubes?
For example, thickwall tubing from one place to another won’t be the exact same thickness.
Example of different thickwall thickness here.
Just different manufacturers as to why they are slightly different.
Despite being 0.2mm difference, it makes all the difference in whether they slide out of the ear molds.
Hi Zebras,
Not sure of the mm size. All my hearing aids, chili’s, dynamo’s and now exceeds have all come with the brass lock.
One time when I purchased my tubing online, I had received one that came without the lock. So, I thought I would try it, but it did not work for me. Slid out easy.
I just always purchased my tubing the same way I received hearing aids.
Have a great day !
You can buy a tube repair kit that includes some glue and a reamer. Use a small amount of glue and it holds the tubes in. No lock needed. When you replace the tube, clean the hole with the reamer. I usually replace the ear hooks every other time.
I can’t recall where i bought the kit. Google away.
Thanks Everyone for your input, lots of good information here.
Zebra, on a more practical level I think you have a very good system of knowing when the tubing needs to be changed, as the no-lock tubes start to slip (apparently from my experience of 1 time :)), when the tube starts to harden and shrink towards the front opening of the ear mold. So for me this was about 3-4 weeks. This is the first time I have used the no locks and in the past I rarely changed these any sooner than 6 months. So with the locks you are probably dealing with distortion once these tubes start to deteriorate like this. Thus your system/schedule will keep up with that deterioration by signalling when you need to change them.
I just want to make sure I don’t loose these, so was very anxious when this happened. I just cannot loose an aid, I would be out of commission until I got a new one. Although I do have an older pair that still works last I checked.
Also your caution to make sure you have the right size is also very good advice, I was told I needed the 13T, and this pack just purchased is 3.3 x 2mm. I don’t remember where I go them, likely amazon or walmart online.
I have seen thick and extra thick walls in my travels, that probably accounts for the 0.2mm difference in wall thickness(?). I believe most places call the thick walled (double thickness) size 13TT.
To make matters more confusing Microsonic-inc website uses inches!
These particular once are without locks and the chart shows the diameter measurements for all sizes;
: From $4.82 to $44.00
#13 Single Bend Quilled Tubes
Outside Diameter: .130
Inside Diameter: .076
Standard N.A.E.L. Tubing (In Inches)
Size Type Outside Diameter Inside Diameter
12 Standard .125 .085
13 Medium .122 .076
13 Thick .130 .076
13 Double Wall .142 .076
I ended up buying a new pack of these yesterday (13 Thick with locks), 0.130 inches = 3.3 mm.
So, in summary I think you are correct Zebra about your tube changing schedule for the best sound from our aids. This means I will change mine probably monthly now, although I still want the lock for protection against loosing the aids.
Thanks again and cheers,
Cynthia
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