Red Flags To Watch For At A Hearing Aid Repair Site

Whether you’re hearing a whistling, whooshing, feedback or nothing it all, chances are, your hearing aid needs repair. If you’ve tried all the tricks and tips for fixing your hearing aids at home – checking the battery, replacing the battery, cleaning the hearing aid, checking the volume – it’s likely time to see a professional.

Unfortunately, not all hearing aid repair shops are created the same. Some provide higher level of service while others seem less than trustworthy. How do you know which one to choose?

If your hearing professional doesn’t provide hearing aid repairs, ask for a recommendation. Friends and family members who have hearing aids are also good sources of recommendations. The internet can also provide reviews from others that can give you insight into the quality of service a shop provides.

Even after reviews and recommendations, sometimes repair shops aren’t all they’re made up to be. Consider the following guide as a checklist when you take your hearing aids in for repair.

Cleanliness is crucial

In certain respects, hearing aid supply stores, which often perform repairs, seem more like retail outlets than medical facilities. But the fact is, these stores, because they perform repairs, need to be clean and sterile. After all, they’re working on instruments that go inside the body. Any dirt or grime can cause infection in the ear.

Detailed and straightforwardness

How detailed oriented is the repair shop? When you ask questions regarding the cause of the hearing aid malfunction and the expected time frame for repair, consider the staff’s answers. Do they shrug and provide a masked answer, or are they more direct, providing detail while making sure to take the time you understand everything?

Courtesy and transparency

It’s ok to ask to see accreditation certificates or recommendations. A shop that has nothing to hide and provides stellar and trustworthy customer service should be more than happy to show its background, accreditation, training and more. Should a shop fail to provide this, consider finding a new one that comes recommended by a friend, family member or primary care physician.

Having your hearing aids repaired can be a stressful time, but by asking questions and discussing any concerns you have with the hearing professional, you should feel better and more confident in the process.