You go out of your way to make sure your hearing aids are well cared for. When you go to bed, you always put them comfortably on the charger and you clean them daily.
But you get pretty distressed when your hearing aids suddenly stop working the way they did once. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to diagnose the issue. Just don’t forget: your main job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or you may need to replace them).
Hearing aid troubleshooting
You kept the owner’s manual that came with your beautiful new hearing aids, right? You’ll want to take it out so you can use it for troubleshooting and, possibly, maintenance. Every model of hearing aid can be somewhat different so it’s important to follow the manual’s guidelines.
On most models there are some other things you can check, here are a few:
- Wax buildup: Be certain that there’s no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual check. Wax can accumulate quickly even if you clean your hearing aids regularly so make sure you double check.
- Keep your microphone clear: Look for anything obstructing the microphone of your hearing aid. A blocked microphone can cause feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or silent.
- Check your battery: Even if you know your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it may be a good plan to check if those batteries are correctly inserted or if a new one solves the problem.
- Check for visible damage: Do you see any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? Cracks, obviously, could indicate more extensive damage (or let in moisture).
Again, check with your owner’s manual on how you might address each of these issues. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
When does my hearing aid need repair?
If your hearing aid continues to malfunction after you have performed basic upkeep and troubleshooting, it’s likely that your hearing aid will need to be professionally repaired. That might not always sound desirable, after all, you rely on your hearing aid for day-to-day communication (not to mention dinners with your family, staying up to date with your favorite Netflix series, and so on).
It’s certainly worth noting 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, depending on the extent of the damage, you could have your hearing aids back in a few hours.
But quick repair will not be possible in all cases. A backup set of hearing aids may be necessary in these situations. Perhaps you have an old pair that will do temporarily in a pinch. We may even be able to let you borrow a pair while you are waiting.
Don’t wait to get assistance with your hearing aids
If the audio quality is starting to fail, it’s essential to get your hearing aids assessed and repaired.
Any degree of downtime needs to be prevented. Your mental health and your general health can be affected by neglected hearing loss. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids sitting in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to diminish.
Keeping those hearing aids in excellent working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. And the ideal way to do that is to keep them clean, keep them charged, and, when necessary, bring your hearing aids to get some professional help.
