You go above and beyond to be certain your hearing aids are well cared for. Cleaning them every day, you make sure they are safe and snug on their charger when you go to sleep.
But you get pretty distressed when your hearing aids suddenly stop working the way they used to. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot the issue, luckily. Just don’t forget: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid additionally (or you may need to replace them).
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
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 somewhat different so it’s essential to follow the manual’s guidelines.
Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Wax accumulation: Be certain that there is no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Wax can build up quickly even if you clean your hearing aids frequently so make sure you double check.
- Check for visible damage: Do you notice any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? If you find cracks, it could mean that moisture is getting in and there might be more extensive damage.
- 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 might not be a bad plan to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one solves the problem.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything obstructing the microphone of your hearing aid. Your hearing aid might feedback or merely fail to work if the microphone is blocked.
Again, consult 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 require repair?
If your hearing aid keeps malfunctioning 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 really appealing.
It’s certainly worth taking note that “repair” doesn’t always translate into “send your hearing aids in for service and wait a few weeks”. In some instances, we can fix your hearing aid in office while you wait.
Or, you’ll be able to take your hearing aids in for professional assistance and have them back in just 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 possible).
There are still some instances where such fast repair is not possible. And in those cases, you may find yourself needing a backup set of hearing aids. 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.
Get help with your hearing aids right away
It’s crucial to have your hearing aid checked and repaired if you start to notice the audio quality is beginning to falter.
Any amount of downtime should be prevented. Neglected hearing loss can affect your general health, including your mental health. More to the point, once your hearing aids are forgotten in a box somewhere, it’s all too easy to pretend they don’t exist, meanwhile, your hearing gets worse and worse.
Keeping those hearing aids in excellent 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.
