Difficulty hearing? Here’s how to know if your hearing aids need repair.
You take good care of your hearing aids. You baby them. Cleaning them on a daily basis, you make sure they are snug on their charger when you go to sleep.
But you can’t figure out why your hearing aids aren’t working efficiently and it’s very annoying. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (otherwise replacing them might be required).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Make sure you consult your owner’s manual when doing upkeep and troubleshooting as every model of hearing aid can be somewhat different. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Look for visible damage: Check if there are any noticeable loose components or cracks around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks could let moisture in and may be a sign of additional damage.
- Check your battery: Always double check your battery power even if you are certain your hearing aid sat on the charger all night. Even rechargeable batteries need to be replaced sooner or later and sometimes you might not have them fully inserted.
- Wax accumulation: Do a visual inspection of your hearing aid to make sure that there is no wax buildup preventing ordinary operation. Wax accumulates quickly so even if you have a routine cleaning schedule you still need to pay attention to this.
- Keep your microphone clear:On occasion, the microphone can be blocked. An obstructed microphone can create feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or silent.
Each of these concerns will have its own strategy so consult your owner’s manual. In certain cases, you might be capable of performing maintenance yourself. (But, again, read the instructions.)
Does my Hearing Aid require Repair – How do I Know?
If your hearing aid keeps malfunctioning after you have carried out basic maintenance and troubleshooting, it’s probable that your hearing aid will need to be professionally repaired. That might not always sound appealing, let’s be honest, you rely on your hearing aid for daily communication (along with dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix shows, etc).
But it’s beneficial to understand that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid out for repair. There are some scenarios where it can be fixed in shop while you wait.
That means, in some instances, you’ll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional help and get them back within a few minutes or hours (this is why it’s a good idea to bring your hearing aid to us so we can determine the damage).
There are still some circumstances where same day repair is not possible. A backup pair could be necessary in those cases. An old pair might be able to do an adequate job as a backup so bring them in with you if you have a pair. There might even be a loaner pair at our office that we can loan you until you get yours back.
Don’t Put Off Getting Help With Your Hearing Aids
It’s essential to have your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the audio quality.
If you do this you will be more likely to eliminate any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can impact your overall health, including your mental health. An even more serious concern is that your hearing will diminish as your hearing aids sit forgotten in a drawer.
The ideal way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep your hearing aids working. Keeping them charged and clean and if necessary, bringing them in for service is the best way to do that.