Trouble hearing? Here’s how to know if your hearing aids need repair.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re very cautious with your hearing aids. You charge them each night and clean them every day.
But you can’t figure out why your hearing aids aren’t working efficiently and it’s very frustrating. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or you might need to get new ones).
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid
Always consult your owner’s manual when performing upkeep and troubleshooting as every model of hearing aid can be a bit different. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Wax buildup: Inspect for wax buildup which could be stopping the standard functionality of your hearing aids. Wax builds up rapidly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to pay attention to this.
- Look for noticeable damage: Check to see if there are any visible loose components or cracks around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks could let moisture in and may be an indicator of additional damage.
- Keep your microphone clear: Look for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. A blocked microphone can create feedback or can make your hearing aid sound silent or broken.
- Examine your battery: Always check your battery power even if you are sure your hearing aid charged all night. Even rechargeable batteries need to be replaced sooner or later and sometimes you may not have them inserted fully.
Each of these concerns will have a unique solution so consult your owner’s manual. In some cases, you might be able to perform maintenance on your own. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to begin.)
Does my Hearing Aid require servicing – How do I Know?
If your hearing aid keeps malfunctioning after you have performed basic maintenance and troubleshooting, it’s probable that your hearing aid will require professional repair. That might not always seem appealing, let’s be honest, you rely on your hearing aid for daily communication (not to mention dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix shows, and so on).
But it’s essential to recognize that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid away. Sometimes, we can fix it while you wait.
So in those cases, you will be able to get your hearing aid back in the same day (this, of course, depends on the scope of the damage, that’s all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as you can).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. A backup pair could be necessary in those situations. So if you’ve got an old pair lying around, ask us whether they will serve on a temporary basis. There might even be a loaner set at our office that you can use until you get yours back.
Don’t Wait to Get Help For Your Hearing Aids
It’s essential to get your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the audio quality.
If you do this you will be more likely to avoid any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can affect your total health, including your mental health. More to the point, once your hearing aids are ignored in a box somewhere, it’s all too easy to pretend they don’t exist, even as, your hearing progressively worsens.
The ideal way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids functioning. And the best way to do that is to keep them clean, charge them, and, when necessary, take your hearing aids to get some professional assistance.