Phonak EasyGuard™ reduces the hassle of wax buildup
Wax buildup can affect sound quality and even lead to receiver failure. EasyGuard™ adds a protective, acoustically transparent barrier so wearers can simply wipe the dome clean, for clearer sound and less daily maintenance.
It might sound surprising, but earwax (cerumen) is one of the most common causes of hearing aid problems¹. While it is a natural and healthy substance, cerumen can block sound from entering properly, leading to booming sounds, feedback, or even causing the hearing aid to stop working altogether.
Research² shows that nearly 40% of all hearing-aid service visits at clinics are related to wax or cleaning issues. Often, users think their hearing aid is broken when in fact it’s just a blocked wax filter.
When designing the Infinio Ultra platform, Phonak engineers and audiologists aimed to make maintenance easier so users could enjoy a more effortless experience, and professionals could reduce the number of service visits.
They asked a simple question: What if we could protect the receiver—the most delicate part of the hearing aid—from wax buildup? So users spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying life, while professionals focus on fitting?
The answer is EasyGuard™.
How EasyGuard™ makes maintenance easy
The new EasyGuard™ domes were designed to make hearing-aid maintenance easier, faster, and more reliable, for both users and hearing care professionals.
Traditional domes are open silicone pieces that fit on the receiver letting sound pass into the ear canal. Phonak’s new EasyGuard™ dome looks similar on the outside but hides a patented innovation inside: a sound-transmitting membrane that seals and protects the receiver from earwax and moisture without changing how the hearing aid sounds.
This membrane acts like an invisible shield:
- Stops most earwax before it reaches the receiver
- Keeps sound clear and natural
- Simplifies cleaning (users just wipe the dome instead of replacing tiny filters)
- Reduces service appointments
- Ultimately increases receiver lifespan
The familiar CeruStop™ wax filter remains as a backup layer of protection. Together these two barriers form a powerful duo: EasyGuard plus CeruStop equals longer life, clearer sound, less maintenance.
What users say: real-life study results
Together with Megan Adler, Research Audiologist at Phonak Audiology Research Center (PARC), we carried out a four-month trial involving 19 experienced hearing-aid users aged 59 to 92. The study showed that participants reported:
- 61% who regularly cleaned their domes said EasyGuard™ saved them time compared to their usual devices
- 58% found EasyGuard™ more comfortable; another 32% found it equally comfortable
- 79% would recommend EasyGuard™ to others
- 68% preferred EasyGuard™ over their own domes
For many this small change made daily care noticeably easier.
One of the first questions audiologists asked was whether adding this protective membrane would affect sound quality. Testing showed no meaningful difference in volume or overall sound quality between EasyGuard™ domes and traditional vented domes.
In other words, you get excellent performance with much better protection.
Benefits for professionals
EasyGuard™ isn’t just about convenience. It’s also about improving reliability and customer satisfaction. By protecting receivers and reducing wax buildup clinics see fewer urgent service visits. That means more time for meaningful consultations instead of routine maintenance.
Users experience fewer interruptions which leads to greater trust and loyalty, a win for everyone involved: user, professional, and technology alike.
The science behind simplicity
EasyGuard™ may seem straightforward but features sophisticated acoustic engineering. The membrane was designed to be acoustically transparent so sound waves pass naturally while blocking wax and moisture from entering.
This innovation reflects Phonak’s commitment to combining engineering precision with everyday practicality, because great hearing isn’t only about what you hear but also how easily you can keep enjoying it.
In summary
- Earwax is one of the biggest hidden causes of hearing-aid trouble
- Phonak EasyGuard™ offers a smart way to protect receivers and simplify maintenance
- Proven in field studies to reduce cleaning time, improve comfort, and boost user satisfaction
- Fully acoustically transparent—same great sound with added reliability
- A small change that leads to cleaner devices, more confidence, and less hassle
Discover how EasyGuard™ can enhance your fittings and reduce follow-up visits, contact your Phonak representative today and check out our website.
To explore the full four-month study showing that most participants preferred EasyGuard™ and found it easier to maintain, see the Field Study News in the Phonak Evidence Library.
References:
1. Bennett, R.J., et al., (2020). Investigating prevalence and impact of device-related problems associated with hearing aid use. International Journal of Audiology, 59(8), 615-623. DOI:10.1080/14992027.2020.1731615
2. Sanchez, C., & Adler, M., (2025). New patented EasyGuard™ domes preferred over traditional domes after a 4-month home trial. Phonak Field Study News.