World's best protection against earwax in hearing aids

The Danish Technological Institute and hearing aid producer Widex A/S have developed a new filter which effectively prevents earwax and moisture from entering the hearing aid.

The penetration of earwax and moisture into the vital electronic parts of a hearing aid cause corrosion and result in a faulty device. In spite of several producers’ attempts at producing filters and membranes to reduce the penetration of earwax and moisture, the number of faults occurring in hearing aids has up till now been far too high.

Now, however, the Danish Technological Institute has effectively minimised the problem by applying a nanocoating chemically bonded to the surface of the filter. The protection system is being launched by Widex A/S under the brand name
NanoCare ™.

- Hearing aids going wrong is a big everyday problem for users because earwax and moisture get into the electronic parts, says technician Christian Hinrichsen from the audiological department at Aarhus Hospital. He receives and investigates faulty hearing aids and sends them on to the producer where repairs often take up to a week.

The new protection system consists of a microscopically thin chemical surface coating on a perforated filter which protects the hearing aid’s central digital parts. The technology behind the system is inspired by the same self-cleaning effect evident in certain plants, for example the lotus blossom and water lily. These plants have a natural cleaning mechanism insofar as the leaves are water-resistant and remain dirt-free due to them having a rough, wax-like surface membrane.

NanoCare ™ was introduced onto the market just before New Year, and Widex A/S expects that millions of people the world over will benefit from the new protection system.

- There is quite simply no inconvenience at all with the new system. It is extremely easy to use and the hearing aid remains stable and fault-free, says production manager Jørgen Vestergaard from Widex A/S.

Together with Widex A/S, the Danish Technological Institute has taken out two patents for the new nanocoating system for hearing aids.