If you use hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids may require professional repair.
You take good care of your hearing aids. You baby them. You charge them nightly and clean them daily.
That’s why it’s so annoying that, abruptly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working properly. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to resolve the problem. Keep in mind: avoiding damage is your first task (otherwise replacing them may be required).
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid
Always consult with your owner’s manual when performing maintenance and troubleshooting because every model of hearing aid can be a bit different. Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Wax accumulation: Do a visual check of your hearing aid to make sure that there is no wax buildup interfering with standard operation. Wax builds up quickly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to check for this.
- Keep your microphone clear:On occasion, the microphone can be obstructed. A blocked microphone can cause feedback or can make your hearing aid sound broken or silent.
- Check for visible damage: Cracks or loose components could develop around the shell of your hearing aids so remember to check for that. Cracks, obviously, could indicate more significant damage (or allow).
- Check your battery: Even if you’re sure your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might not be a bad idea to check if those batteries are inserted correctly or if a new one solves the problem.
Again, consult your owner’s manual on how you should tackle each of these issues. In some cases, you might be capable of performing maintenance on your own. (But, once again, read the instructions.)
When Does my Hearing Aid Require Repair?
Your hearing aid will probably require professional repair if you continue to have issues with it after carrying out these basic maintenance tasks. That might not always sound appealing, after all, you depend on your hearing aid for daily communication (along with dinners with your family, keeping up to date with your favorite Netflix shows, and so on).
But it’s important to recognize that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid out for repair. In some cases, we can fix it while you wait.
So in those situations, you will be able to get your hearing aid back before the day’s end (this, of course, depends on the extent of the damage, which is all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as possible).
Not all scenarios can be addressed in house though. And on those occasions, you could find yourself needing a backup pair of hearing aids. An old pair might be able to do a decent job as a backup so if you have an old pair, bring them in with you. We might even have a pair we can loan you while you wait.
Get Help With Your Hearing Aids Right Away
If the hearing aids are beginning to fade, the audio quality is starting to fail, it’s important to have it repaired.
That’s because you want to eliminate any downtime. Your overall health and your mental health are affected by untreated hearing loss. An even more significant worry is that your hearing will diminish as your hearing aids sit ignored in a drawer.
The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep your hearing aids functioning. Keeping them charged and clean and if necessary, bringing them in for maintenance is the best way to do that.