You take good care of your hearing aids. When you go to sleep, you always put them comfortably on the charger and you clean them daily.
Suddenly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they used to. There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue, thankfully. Not doing any additional damage is your number one priority so you won’t need to replace them.
Hearing aid troubleshooting
Of course, when you first got your nice new hearing aids, you made a point of putting the owner’s manual in a safe place. You’ll want to take it out so you can utilize it for troubleshooting and, potentially, maintenance. Using your owner’s manual is crucial because every model of hearing aid is different.
Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Check your battery: You’ll still want to check the battery power even if you had your hearing aids charging overnight. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might be a good idea to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one resolves the issue.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check your hearing aid to see if anything is blocking the microphone. A blocked microphone can cause feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or silent.
- Wax buildup: Make sure there is no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Even if you perform routine cleaning, sometimes wax can build up quickly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Look for noticeable damage: Do you see any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? If you discover cracks, it could suggest that moisture is getting in and there might be more extensive damage.
Again, check with your owner’s manual on how you should address each of these issues. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
How can I tell when my hearing aid requires repair?
If your hearing aid continues to malfunction after you’ve performed basic upkeep and troubleshooting, it’s likely that your hearing aid will have to be professionally repaired. You need your hearing aids for almost every aspect of your life so this might not sound very appealing.
It’s definitely worth taking note that “repair” doesn’t necessarily translate into “mail your hearing aids in for service and wait several weeks”. In some cases, we can repair your hearing aid in office while you wait.
Or, you’ll be able to take your hearing aids in for professional help and have them back in a matter of a few hours (this, of course, depends on the degree of the damage, all the more reason to bring your devices in for repair as soon as you can).
But rapid repair will not be possible in all cases. A backup pair of hearing aids might be necessary in these situations. So if you’ve got an old pair lying around, ask whether they will serve on a temporary basis. Or it’s possible that we have a loaner pair you can use.
Get help with your hearing aids without delay
If the audio quality is beginning to fail, it’s crucial to get your hearing aids assessed and repaired.
You’ll want to avoid any downtime. Neglected hearing loss can impact your general health, including your mental health. Moreover, once your hearing aids are forgotten in a box somewhere, it’s all too easy to pretend they don’t exist, all the while, your hearing gets worse and worse.
Keeping those hearing aids in excellent working order is the key to keeping your hearing healthy. Keeping them charged, clean, and when necessary, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.