As far as I know, the receivers are not manufactured by Siemens. They are manufactured by Knowles or by Technitrol (Pulse) which is the former Sonion-Microtronic.
If the RIC is so problematic, why is the industry pushing so hard to sell these devices.
Most of the HOH folks I know have to work for a living and will find constant repairs and the associates costs impossible to manage.
I agree there should be some sort of waterproof RIC.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be taunting the hearing aid gods, butI have used my Pure 500 BTE RIC’s for 15 months now and have had no problems with the receivers. Even if I had to pay for new receivers once a year (which I haven’t had to do so far), the benefits of these aids over my previous aids (Phonak miniValeo aids with open tubes) would be worth it.
If the RIC is so problematic,
RICs aren’t really much more troublesome for INDIVIDUAL users … but if you are a dispenser who has fitted 100s of RICs then ANY failure rate seems like a BIG problem.
I too have had no problem with a pair of RITE HAs after 11 months (knock on wood). I haven’t been particularly careful with the HA and haven’t yet bothered to clean the receiver/speakers. If a receiver assembly happens to fail, it won’t be a big deal since a replacement costs just $65 from www.AmericaHears.com.
Just a continuation of this comment. I picked up two new receivers this week and it was just like the first week I had the HAs, all the sounds were there again. Tire noise from cars driving by on the street, peoples voices so strong that I turned the volume down on some programs. It’s too much like natural hearing loss, it comes upon you so slowly you don’t really notice it until you pull HAs out and realize that there’s not much difference any more. Where’s the audi’s receiver tester tool?
D.
I heard a comment regarding ear wax as a major contributor to receiver failure.
I wonder if failure is just as likely due to the quality of the component.
Norm
It is not about quality, it is about shape. And shape is dictated by function.
For example, a wheel can not be built with a square shape 
, despite the fact it will certainly be more resistant to anything.
Here is an actual receiver:
http://www.knowles.com/search/family.do?family_id=FC/FFC&x_sub_cat_id=9
Practically, it is already “armored”.
Try to figure out what could (or should) be done, to avoid having this tiny hole clogged with earwax.
Do they make all receivers for the various mfg’s?
I hope they can make the power receivers smaller as my left ear canal is smaller than the right. There is also a little bit of a turn in the canal that put the speaker to close to the wall making it very susceptible to wax problems.
Seems to me the best solution would be no receiver in the ear, rather all done from the case behind the ear!
Basically, yes. Most receivers have the same shape, anyway.
They can (and actually) make smaller receivers, but when you need power at low-frequencies, the receiver has to be bigger.
The hole is already centered, placed at equal distance of every wall of your canal.
You’re right. “Classical” BTE hearing aids have no clogging problems at all. But RIC aids can help you better to understand speech. So, it is your choice.
Regarding the centered hole thought. I think the smaller canal size and the turn in the canal are having an issue when I try to insert the power receiver far enough into the canal (to stay put)the speaker touches the canal thus creating a wax problem.
If I understand what your saying regarding RITE vs Slim Tube is that no slim tube set up can match the performance of RITE technology?
Cleaning the receiver is by no means the manufacturer’s problem. When your car needs a wash, is the manufacturer responsible to do that?
Slim Tube is not similar to RIC / RITE. It is just a cosmetic approach.
The idea behind the RIC / RITE approach is to have the receiver as close as possible to the eardrum.
if I try to push the power receiver in as far as your answer here I run into the problem of the smaller ear canal and turn of my canal that puts the speaker into the canal wall. The only reason I notice this or bring up the point is that I have a power receiver(vigo connect)in my right ear as well and their is no problems at all.
Regarding your thoughts on the slim tube is only cosmetic. That would suggest that RIC/RITE is far superior to Slim Tube?
They are not “my thoughts”. It’s a technical matter, feel free to learn it, by using your own effort. And stop being so demanding here, I am not the manufacturer’s representative.
Learning is not always as easy as just reading, which I have done many many hours of trying to better understand how to hear better. I came here for help from those who have first hand experience. My mistake!
We are all entitled to have a bad day or have a misunderstanding. Don’t give up here, this is a great bunch of people with lots of help available.
We should all try to use the search function more but as stated, sometimes it’s good to have a one on one.
Take care and good luck.
I have been to a technical talk where it was clearly explained that speaker-in-the-ear models are NO better than slim tubes … IF AN OPEN DOME IS USED.
I asked if this applied to tulip domes and the answer was less clear!
Soooo … for a mild high-frequency-only loss, you might as well select a slim tube model. They are much easier and cheaper to maintain.
This week I’m going to test a Unitron Lattitude 16 Moxi. I’m not sure what type of dome will be fitted. I’m thinking closed will be my best option.
Thank you for the excellent info here.
Norm
I should add that I’m not sure based on the performance rating of this(lattitude Moxi) device it will be suited for my hearing loss. The other option that I want to look at is a Phonak Smart 5(does this come in a slim tube option) or the Versata.
Thank you for pointing that.
Now, he will consider you owe him an explanation 
. Or many.
Slim tube is not an option for your hearing loss, get used to it!
It will whistle like hell.