How to insert and safely remove a micro earpiece

An adult's ear canal is about 2.5 cm long and bends slightly. The micro earpiece should stay in its outer part: deep enough not to be seen, but well away from the eardrum. Here is how to do it properly.

Inserting a micro earpiece step by step

1. Wash your hands and wipe the earpiece with a clean, dry tissue.
2. Fit the battery, switch on the loop and check the earpiece plays: hold it near the loop before it goes into your ear.
3. Hold the earpiece by its back so that the removal antenna points outwards.
4. With your other hand, gently pull the outer ear up and back. This straightens the ear canal.
5. Slide the earpiece in with a smooth movement, without pushing. With a fingertip (never a cotton bud!) press it lightly until it disappears just inside the entrance of the canal.
6. Let go of the ear. The earpiece should sit securely and not rub.

There is no need to push the earpiece deep. If the antenna sticks out slightly into the canal, that is fine: that is what it is for.

Removing an induction micro earpiece

1. Pull the outer ear up and back, as when inserting.
2. Grip the removal antenna (the thin transparent filament at the back of the earpiece) with your fingernails or rounded tweezers.
3. Pull the earpiece out slowly, along the line of the canal. Do not jerk it.
4. Unscrew the battery cap straight away so the earpiece does not keep running in its case.

Removing a magnetic micro earpiece

Magnetic earpieces have no antenna: they are too small. They are removed with the magnetic stick supplied with the kit:

1. Tilt your head so the ear with the earpiece faces down.
2. Insert the stick into the entrance of the canal, very shallowly, without forcing it against the walls.
3. The magnet will attract the capsule. Slowly withdraw the stick together with the earpiece.

Practise this at home a few times before using the earpiece elsewhere. Every ear is slightly different, and it is good to know how deep to reach.

What if the earpiece gets stuck?

It is rare, but it can happen, especially with a magnetic earpiece pushed in too deep or after the antenna breaks off.

• Do not panic and do not poke around in your ear with a cotton bud, hairpin or tweezers. You could push the earpiece deeper or damage the ear canal.
• Tilt your head to the side, ear down, and gently move the outer ear. Sometimes the earpiece slides out on its own.
• If that does not help, see an ENT doctor or go to A&E. Removing a foreign body from the ear is a routine procedure that takes a few minutes.

Hygiene and cleaning

• After each use, wipe the earpiece with a dry tissue or cotton pad. Keep water and alcohol away from the electronic parts.
• The end that goes into the ear can be wiped with a tissue lightly moistened with disinfectant, then left to dry.
• If the earpiece has a wax guard (a cover over the sound outlet), check it regularly. A clogged guard is the most common cause of muffled sound.
• Do not lend the earpiece to others without cleaning it thoroughly, as with anything you put in your ear.
• Store the earpiece in its case, with the battery removed, in a dry place.

How long can you wear a micro earpiece?

A well-fitting earpiece does not rub, and it is easy to forget it is there. Even so, take breaks: the ear canal needs ventilation, and keeping it blocked for a long time encourages irritation. After a few hours, take the earpiece out at least for a moment. Never sleep with a micro earpiece in and never go into water with it.

Watch the volume

The earpiece transducer plays very close to the eardrum. Set the volume so that you can hear speech clearly, and no louder. If you hear hissing or ringing after taking the earpiece out, it was too loud.