When Hearing Aids Need Repairs

Are your hearing aids emitting new sounds? Or no sounds? If so, chances are your hearing aids could be in need of repair.

Before falling into hearing aid repair despair, be assured that many hearing aid issues are often solved by simple, at-home tricks.

Investigate the basics

If your hearing aids are producing static, intermittent sounds or perhaps no sound at all, check the basic parts and functions of the hearing aids first. A good checklist includes:

• Making sure the devices are turned on. Sometimes the on/off button, dial or switch gets pushed off while inserting the hearing aids.
• Checking the battery life. When was the last time you checked or changed your hearing aid battery? Because batteries can last anywhere between three and 22 days, depending on the type of hearing aids one has, it is a good idea to keep a list of the dates when you last changed your battery.
• Replacing the battery. If the battery hasn’t been replaced in a long time, consider replacing or recharging the battery. Make sure the battery is placed into the battery compartment correctly.
• Cleaning the devices. Hearing aids can easily become clogged with debris or earwax. If the devices have not been cleaned for a long time, take time to clean the hearing aids thoroughly.

Talk to your hearing care professional

If the basic troubleshooting tips fail to solve the problem, it is likely you will need to take your hearing aids into your hearing specialist for diagnosis and possible repair.

Continue preventative measures

The best way to help prevent your hearing aids from requiring repair is to keep the devices clean and properly maintained. To avoid buildup of debris and earwax, both of which can clog the microphone or sound ports, take a clean and dry tissue or cloth to the devices daily.

Additionally, keep your ears clean. While earwax is a completely normal and beneficial substance, too much earwax not only clogs the ear canal, it clogs the hearing aids as well. Furthermore, excess earwax can dislodge the hearing aid, causing an improper fit. Just as with your hearing aids, gently clean the ears with a washcloth on a daily basis.

Talk with your hearing care provider about different ways you can properly maintain your devices and how to keep them problem free!