You take good care of your hearing aids. Cleaning them daily, you make sure they’re safe and snug on their charger when you go to bed.
But you get pretty discouraged when your hearing aids suddenly stop working the way they used to. There are a few things you can do to diagnose the issue, luckily. Just remember: your number one job is to refrain from damaging your hearing aid additionally (or you may have to replace them).
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
You kept the owner’s manual that came with your shiny new hearing aids, right? You’ll want to get it out so you can use it for troubleshooting and, potentially, maintenance. Each model of hearing aid can be rather different so it’s essential to follow the manual’s guidelines.
Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Look for visible damage: Do you notice any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? If you find cracks, it could suggest that moisture is getting in and there could be more significant damage.
- Wax buildup: Be certain that there’s no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Wax can build up quickly even if you clean your hearing aids regularly so make it a point to double check.
- Keep your microphone clear: Look for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. A blocked microphone can cause feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or quiet.
- Check your battery: You’ll still want to check the battery power even if you had your hearing aids charging at night. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it may be a good plan to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one solves the issue.
Once again you can find out how to deal with each of these concerns by referring to your owner’s manual. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
When does my hearing aid need repair?
Your hearing aid will probably have to be repaired professionally if you do routine upkeep and it still malfunctions. You need your hearing aids for almost every facet of your life so this may not sound really appealing.
It’s certainly worth noting that “repair” doesn’t always mean “send your hearing aids in for service and wait a few weeks”. Sometimes, we can do the repair in office and you can take it with you when you leave.
Or, depending on the level of the damage, you could have your hearing aids back in a few hours.
But quick repair won’t be possible in every case. And in those situations, you might find yourself in need of a backup set of hearing aids. So if you have an old pair lying around, ask whether they will serve temporarily. 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 assessed and repaired if you begin to notice the sound quality is starting to falter.
Any amount of downtime needs to be prevented. Your mental health and your overall health can be affected by neglected hearing loss. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids laying in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to decline.
Keeping those hearing aids in excellent working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. And the ideal way to do that is to clean them, keep them charged, and, when needed, take your hearing aids to get some professional repair.