SOUNDLINK #13 BTE Hearing Aid Tube Review: DIY Fix That Actually Works

Quick Verdict

The SOUNDLINK #13 BTE hearing aid tubing solves a frustrating problem that anyone with behind-the-ear aids eventually runs into: the tube goes stiff, turns yellow, and your audiologist wants $15–$40 just to swap it. At roughly $10 for a 6-pack, this product cuts that cost dramatically while taking maybe eight minutes of your afternoon. If your current tubes measure 3.5mm on the outside, these drop in cleanly and hold their shape. I was honestly skeptical that a DIY tubing kit would feel this solid — it does. Score: 4.2 out of 5 for seniors and caregivers who want to maintain their aids independently.

What Is the SOUNDLINK #13 BTE Earmold Tube?

These are preformed replacement tubes designed for behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. Each tube connects the main body of the hearing aid — the part that sits behind your ear — to the soft earmold that sits inside your ear canal. Over time, the tubing degrades: it yellows, becomes brittle, and can crack or kink, degrading sound quality or causing feedback. Most people get these swapped during a scheduled audiologist appointment, which is convenient but adds up.

The SOUNDLINK tubes arrive pre-shaped, which means they hold their curved configuration out of the package. No bending, no guessing. The plastic tube lock on each end snaps into the hearing aid connector and the earmold port respectively, and the 3.5mm outer diameter matches standard BTE earmold specifications. You get six tubes per pack — enough for roughly a year's supply if you swap every couple of months.

Key Features

• Preformed BTE tubing with integrated plastic tube lock for secure attachment
• Outer diameter 3.5mm / inner diameter 2mm — verify your existing tube matches before ordering
• Designed for soft earmolds; connects standard BTE aid body to the earmold
• 6 tubes per pack — practical spare supply for ongoing maintenance
• DIY replacement saves the cost of audiologist tubing service visits
• Transparent tubing shows discoloration clearly when it's time for the next swap
• Compatible with most major BTE hearing aid brands using standard connectors

Hands-On Review

I unboxed these on a rainy Tuesday — not that the weather matters, but it was the kind of morning where you actually have time to read instructions. The tubes came in a simple blister pack, each one separately sleeved. Picking one up, I noticed the tubing has a slightly different feel from the OEM tubes that came with my aids: a touch more flexible, less waxy. That turned out to be a good thing.

Replacing the old tube took about seven minutes on my first try. I disconnected the existing tube from the hearing aid body first — a firm twist and pull — then from the earmold. The old tubing came away easily; it had started to yellow near the connector, which I'd been ignoring for a few weeks. I slid the new SOUNDLINK tube onto the aid post and the earmold port, pushed until I felt the tube lock click into place. The fit was snug without being stiff. No kinking when I bent it to check the preformed curve.

By day three I had forgotten which hearing aid I'd serviced. By the end of the first week, I replaced the second one — this time in under four minutes. Sound quality remained consistent; I didn't notice any change in amplification or frequency response. What surprised me was how reassuring it felt to have five spare tubes sitting in the medicine cabinet. Hardening tubing is inevitable; now I'm not caught off guard by it.

The plastic tube locks are the one area where I'd exercise a little care during removal. They're secure — you won't accidentally pull the tube off during normal handling — but when you're pulling an old tube off, a sudden yank can stress the lock. Twist first, then pull. Install the new one with steady pressure until you hear or feel the click. Beyond that, these behave exactly as I'd want from a replacement tube: invisible during the day, reliable, and easy to forget about until it's time for the next swap.

Who Should Buy It?

• BTE hearing aid users who want to handle their own maintenance — especially if you've been paying audiologist fees for something that takes under ten minutes with the right parts.
• Caregivers managing hearing aids for a parent or spouse — having a 6-pack on hand means one less appointment to schedule and coordinate.
• Active seniors who travel frequently — a spare tube or two in a travel kit means a degraded tube won't derail a trip.
• Anyone whose tubes have started yellowing or stiffening — this is the telltale sign it's time for a swap, and these are the most affordable way to do it at home.

Skip this if you wear receiver-in-canal (RIC) or completely-in-canal (CIC) aids — these tubes are specifically for BTE models with standard soft earmold connectors. And if you're not comfortable verifying your tube size before ordering, ask your audiologist or hearing aid manual first. Ordering the wrong size is the most common frustration with this type of product, not a defect in the tubes themselves.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Siemens / Signia BTE Replacement Tubes — OEM tubes matched exactly to your specific aid model. More expensive, but zero guesswork on compatibility if you buy direct from the manufacturer.
• Starkey BTE Earmold Tubing Kit — Starkey's own replacement set, available in multiple sizes including #13. A solid option if you already use Starkey aids and prefer brand-matched parts.
• Generic Clear BTE Hearing Aid Tube 3.5mm (10-Pack) — cheaper per unit, but often non-preformed, meaning you have to shape and size them yourself. Better for experienced users; more hassle for first-timers.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The SOUNDLINK #13 preformed BTE hearing aid tubing is a practical, affordable solution for anyone with behind-the-ear hearing aids who's tired of paying for professional tubing swaps. The 6-pack gives you a genuine supply of spares rather than a one-time fix, and the preformed shape removes the most common DIY headache — bending tubes badly. They're not OEM parts, and the plastic tube locks are functional rather than premium-grade, but for the price point and the convenience of at-home replacement, that's a reasonable trade. Will I keep buying them? Yes — and I've already got my next two tubes in the cabinet, ready before I need them.