You take good care of your hearing aids. Cleaning them daily, you make sure they’re safe and comfortable on their charger when you go to bed.
Suddenly and discouragingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they used to. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot the problem, thankfully. Not doing any further damage is your number one priority so you won’t have to replace them.
Hearing aid troubleshooting
You saved the owner’s manual that came with your shiny new hearing aids, right? Hopefully, you did so that you can consult with your owner’s manual to perform maintenance and troubleshooting. Each model of hearing aid can be rather different so it’s essential to follow the manual’s guidelines.
Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Check your battery: You’ll still want to assess the battery power even if you had your hearing aids charging overnight. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it may be a good plan 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 obstructing the microphone. An obstructed microphone can cause feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or silent.
- Check for noticeable damage: Does your hearing aid have any apparent loose components or cracks in its shell? Cracks, obviously, could indicate more extensive damage (or allow in moisture).
- Wax buildup: Be certain that there is no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual check. Wax can accumulate quickly even if you clean your hearing aids frequently so make it a point to double check.
Again, consult your owner’s manual on how you should approach each of these issues. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
How can I tell when my hearing aid needs repair?
Your hearing aid will probably need to be repaired professionally if you do routine upkeep and it still malfunctions. You need your hearing aids for nearly every aspect of your life so this may not sound that appealing.
You won’t necessarily be without your hearing aid for extended periods of time just because it needs to be serviced. Sometimes, we can do the repair in office and you can take it with you when you go.
Or, you’ll be able to take your hearing aids in for professional assistance and get them back in a matter of a few hours (this, obviously, depends on the degree of the damage, all the more reason to bring your devices in for repair as soon as possible).
There are still some instances where such rapid repair is not possible. A backup set of hearing aids may be needed in these situations. Maybe you have an old pair that will do temporarily in a pinch. We might even be able to loan you a pair while you are waiting.
Get help with your hearing aids without delay
It’s crucial to get your hearing aid assessed and repaired if you begin to notice the sound quality is beginning to falter.
You’ll want to avoid any downtime. Your mental health and your overall health can be impacted by neglected hearing loss. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids laying in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to deteriorate.
Keeping those hearing aids in good working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. Keeping them charged, clean, and when necessary, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.
