If you have hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids might require professional maintenance.
You take good care of your hearing aids. You’re very careful with your hearing aids. Cleaning them every day, you make certain they are snug on their charger when you go to bed.
That’s why it’s so irritating that, abruptly and distressingly, your hearing aids aren’t working the way they should. The good news is, troubleshooting the issue is fairly easy. Just remember: preventing damage is your first job (or you may need to get new ones).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Make sure you consult your owner’s manual when doing maintenance and troubleshooting as every model of hearing aid can be somewhat different. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Look for visible damage: Loose components or cracks may occur around the shell of your hearing aids so don’t forget to inspect for that. Cracks could let moisture in and might be a sign of additional damage.
- Wax buildup: Do a visual check of your hearing aid to ensure that there is no wax buildup preventing ordinary functionality. Even if you do regular cleaning, sometimes wax can accumulate quickly, so it’s worth ticking this off your list.
- Keep your microphone clear:Sometimes, the microphone can be blocked. An obstructed microphone can cause feedback or can make your hearing aid sound broken or silent.
- Check your battery: Even if you’re sure your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery level. If your hearing aid has changeable batteries, it may be a good idea to check if those batteries are in correctly or if a new one fixes the issue.
Each of these concerns will have its own solution so consult your owner’s manual. Self maintenance will be a possibility in certain cases. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to start.)
Does my Hearing Aid require Repair – How Can I Tell?
Your hearing aid will probably require professional repair if you continue to have problems with it after performing these basic maintenance duties. That might not always sound appealing, let’s be honest, you depend on your hearing aid for daily communication (not to mention dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix shows, etc).
However, it’s worth mentioning that “repair” doesn’t always mean you need to “send your hearing aid out” for service and wait several weeks. There are some circumstances where it can be fixed in shop while you wait.
Meaning, in some cases, you’ll be capable of bringing your hearing aids in for professional help and get them back in a matter of minutes or hours (this is why it’s a good idea to bring your hearing aid in so we can assess the damage).
Not all cases can be fixed in house though. A backup pair could be required in those cases. So if you’ve got an old pair collecting dust, ask us whether they will serve on a temporary basis. There may even be a loaner set at our office that we can loan you until you get yours back.
Don’t Wait to Get Help For Your Hearing Aids
If your hearing aids are starting to fade, the audio quality is beginning to fail, it’s essential to get it repaired.
If you do this you will be more likely to eliminate any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can affect your general health, including your mental health. Moreover, once your hearing aids are left in a box somewhere, it’s way too easy to pretend they don’t exist, even as, your hearing progressively worsens.
The ideal way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids working. And the easiest way to do that is to clean them, keep them charged, and, when needed, take your hearing aids to get some professional help.
