You go above and beyond to ensure your hearing aids are well cared for. When you go to sleep, you always put them comfortably on the charger and you clean them daily.
Suddenly and discouragingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they once did. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot the issue, luckily. Not doing any further damage is your top priority so you won’t have to replace them.
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
Of course, when you first got your sweet new hearing aids, you made a point of storing the owner’s manual in a safe place. You’ll want to take it out so you can use it for troubleshooting and, potentially, maintenance. Using your owner’s manual is important because every model of hearing aid is different.
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 at night. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might be a good plan to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one resolves the issue.
- Look for visible damage: Does your hearing aid have any noticeable loose components or cracks in its shell? Cracks, obviously, could indicate more extensive damage (or let in moisture).
- Keep your microphone clear: Check 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.
- Wax accumulation: Make sure there’s no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Wax can accumulate quickly even if you clean your hearing aids regularly so make sure you double check.
Again, check with your owner’s manual on how you might 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 maintenance and it still malfunctions. You need your hearing aids for almost every aspect of your life so this may not sound very appealing.
It’s definitely worth noting that “repair” doesn’t always translate into “mail your hearing aids in for service and wait several weeks”. In some instances, we can repair 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 a matter of a few hours (this, obviously, depends on the extent of the damage, all the more reason to bring your devices in for repair as soon as possible).
There are still some cases where such rapid repair is not possible. A backup set of hearing aids might be necessary in these situations. So if you’ve got an old pair lying around, ask whether they will serve on a temporary basis. Or maybe we have a loaner pair you can borrow.
Don’t wait to get help with your hearing aids
It’s essential to get your hearing aid checked and repaired if you start to notice the audio quality is starting to fail.
You’ll want to prevent any downtime. Neglected hearing loss can impact your overall health, and that includes 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’re not there, all the while, your hearing grows worse and worse.
Keeping those hearing aids in good working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. Keeping them charged, clean, and when needed, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.
