If you have hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids might require professional maintenance.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re very cautious with your hearing aids. You charge them every night and clean them daily.
That’s why it’s so discouraging that, abruptly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they should. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot the issue. Just remember: preventing damage is your first task (or else replacing them could be necessary).
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid
Every design of hearing aid is different so make use of your owner manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Examine your battery: Always double check your battery level even if you are certain your hearing aid charged all night. 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 fixes the issue.
- Wax buildup: Perform a visual examination of your hearing aid to make sure that there is no wax accumulation interfering with normal operation. Wax accumulates quickly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to pay attention to this.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. Your hearing aid might sound broken or silent or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Look for visible damage: Check if there are any visible loose components or cracks around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks, obviously, could reveal more extensive damage (or allow).
Each of these problems will have a unique strategy so consult your owner’s manual. In certain cases, you might be able to perform maintenance yourself. (But, again, consult the instructions.)
Does my Hearing Aid require Repair – 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 need to be professionally repaired. That may not always sound appealing, after all, you rely on your hearing aid for everyday communication (not to mention dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix shows, etc).
But it’s essential to understand that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid out for repair. Sometimes, we can repair it while you wait.
Meaning, in some cases, you’ll be capable of bringing your hearing aids in for professional maintenance and get them back within a few minutes or hours (this, of course, depends on the scope of the damage, which is all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as you can).
Not all scenarios can be addressed in house though. A backup pair could be necessary in those situations. So if you have an old pair lying around, ask us whether they will work temporarily. There may even be a loaner set at our office that you can use until yours come back.
Don’t Put Off Getting Help For Your Hearing Aids
It’s necessary to have your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the sound quality.
That’s because you really want to avoid any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are affected by neglected hearing loss. An even more significant worry is that your hearing will get worse as your hearing aids sit ignored in a drawer.
The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids working. And the easiest way to do that is to clean them, charge them, and, when needed, take your hearing aids to get some professional help.