You go above and beyond to be certain your hearing aids are well taken care of. When you go to bed, you always put them snuggly on the charger and you clean them every day.
But you get pretty discouraged when your hearing aids abruptly stop working the way they did once. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. Just remember: your main job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid additionally (or you may need to replace them).
Hearing aid troubleshooting
Naturally, when you first got your nice new hearing aids, you made a point of putting the owner’s manual in a safe place. You’ll want to take it out so you can use it for troubleshooting and, possibly, maintenance. Following 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: Even if you know your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. It may be a good idea to check if you may need new batteries or if the old ones are properly inserted, particularly if your batteries are replaceable.
- Wax buildup: Make sure there is no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual check. Even if you undertake routine cleaning, sometimes wax can accumulate quickly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Keep your microphone clear: Look for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. Your hearing aid may feedback or simply fail to work if the microphone is obstructed.
- Check for visible damage: Do you notice any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? If you discover cracks, it could suggest that moisture is getting in and there could be more extensive damage.
Once again you can learn how to deal with each of these issues by consulting your owner’s manual. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
How can I tell when my hearing aid needs repair?
If your hearing aid keeps malfunctioning after you have performed basic maintenance and troubleshooting, it’s likely that your hearing aid will need to be professionally repaired. You need your hearing aids for almost every facet of your life so this might not sound that appealing.
You won’t necessarily be without your hearing aid for extended periods of time just because it needs to be repaired. In some cases, we can fix your hearing aid in office while you wait.
Or, depending on the degree of the damage, you could get your hearing aids back in a few hours.
But rapid repair won’t be possible in every case. A backup pair of hearing aids may be necessary in these cases. So if you’ve got an old pair lying around, ask whether they will serve on a temporary basis. We may even be able to loan you a pair while you are waiting.
Don’t wait to get assistance with your hearing aids
If the sound quality is starting to falter, it’s crucial to get your hearing aids assessed and repaired.
Any degree of downtime should be avoided. Untreated hearing loss can impact your overall health, including your mental health. Moreover, once your hearing aids are ignored in a box somewhere, it’s all too easy to pretend they’re not there, all the while, your hearing grows worse and worse.
The optimum way to keep your hearing working properly is to keep those hearing aids working. Keeping them charged, clean, and when necessary, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.