FIT Re-tubing

FIT earpieces are modeled using sophisticated three dimensional computer software and are “printed” via an additive manufacturing process.

The acrylic resin used with FIT is slightly different from conventional acrylic. The resin’s composition requires the use of cyanoacrylate (Super Glue®), rather than standard thin tubing cement, to hold the vinyl tubes in place.

Retubing therefore requires a slightly different procedure.

Removing FIT Tubes

Westone uses the smallest amount of glue necessary to secure the tube in place. Whenever possible, we “tube-through” the earpiece. If a tube-through is not possible, then the earpiece is “half-tubed”.

To remove the old tube, we recommend identifying where the tube is glued to the earpiece, and saturating that area with a solvent such as Super Glue Debonder® or a citrus-based cleaner/adhesive remover. The solvent will break the glue’s bond within minutes.

An alternative to this method is to immerse the earpiece in boiling hot water for approximately five minutes. This action should soften the glue’s bond enough that just a strong tug on the tube will release it.

Use a pair of pliers or a similar tool to grasp the old tube and remove it from the earpiece. If there is any residue of the old tube and glue in the sound bore use a hand-held tubing reamer to gently remove it.

Warning:
Do not use a high-speed rotary tool as this may damage the earpiece. (Figure 2)






FIT Retubing

If the earpiece is to be tubed through insert and position the tube to its final position. Next apply a small amount of super glue between the new tube and the sound bore, just past the sound bore opening on the outside edge of the earpiece by pinching the tubing down and exposing the outer edge of the sound bore.

When the glue has dried, trim off any excess tube flush with the canal tip.

If the earpiece is to be halftubed, first cut the new tube to the proper length and insert into the sound bore.

Apply a small amount of super glue between the new tube and the sound bore, just past the sound bore opening on the outside edge of the earpiece (again by pinching the tubing down and exposing the outer edge of the sound bore).

It is important that you do not allow any super glue to contact the tubing outside the sound bore. Any super glue on exposed tubing, even just at the junction of the tube and sound bore, will harden and eventually crack the vinyl tube.