If you use hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids may need professional repair.
You take care of your hearing aids. You baby them. Cleaning them every day, you make certain they are snug on their charger when you go to bed.
That’s why it’s so frustrating that, abruptly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they should. Luckily, troubleshooting the problem is fairly simple. Keep in mind: your number one task is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (otherwise replacing them might be necessary).
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:
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. A blocked microphone can create feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound silent or broken.
- Check for visible damage: Check if there are any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks could let moisture in and may be an indicator of additional damage.
- Wax buildup: Check for wax buildup which could be impeding the normal functionality of your hearing aids. Wax accumulates rapidly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to check for this.
- Examine your battery: Even if you’re sure your hearing aids spent the night on the charger, you’ll want to double-check the battery level. Even rechargeable batteries need to be replaced sooner or later and sometimes you may not have them inserted fully.
Each of these problems will have its own solution so check your owner’s manual. In certain cases, you may be capable of performing maintenance yourself. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to begin.)
Does my Hearing Aid require Repair – How do I Know?
Your hearing aid will probably require professional repair if you continue to have problems with it after carrying out these basic maintenance tasks. Because you rely on your hearing aids for all of your everyday conversations and social activities, this most likely doesn’t sound very attractive.
But it’s beneficial to understand that repair doesn’t always mean sending your hearing aid out for repair. Sometimes, we can fix it while you wait.
That means, in some instances, you’ll be capable of bringing your hearing aids in for professional help and have them back within a few minutes or hours (this, of course, depends on the magnitude of the damage, that’s all the more reason to bring your devices in for repair as soon as possible).
There are still some cases where same day repair is not possible. A backup pair may be required in those cases. An old pair may be able to do an adequate job as a backup so if you have an old pair, bring them in with you. There might even be a loaner set at our office that you can use until you get yours back.
Get Help With Your Hearing Aids Sooner Rather Than Later
It’s necessary to get your hearing aids serviced as soon as you experience any falter or fading of the sound quality.
That’s because you hope to eliminate any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are affected by untreated hearing loss. An even more serious concern is that your hearing will get worse as your hearing aids sit ignored in a drawer.
Your best chance of getting the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them working at their highest quality. Keeping them charged and clean and if necessary, bringing them in for service is the easiest way to do that.