You go above and beyond to ensure your hearing aids are well taken care of. Cleaning them daily, you make sure they are safe and comfortable on their charger when you go to bed.
But you get pretty discouraged when your hearing aids abruptly stop working the way they did once. There are several things you can do to diagnose the problem, thankfully. Not doing any more damage is your top priority so you won’t have to replace them.
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
You kept the owner’s manual that came with your beautiful new hearing aids, right? You’ll want to get it out so you can utilize it for troubleshooting and, potentially, maintenance. Following your owner’s manual is crucial because every model of hearing aid is different.
On most models there are some other things you can check, here are a few:
- Wax buildup: Make sure there’s no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Even if you perform regular cleaning, sometimes wax can accumulate quickly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Look for noticeable damage: Do you see any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid? Cracks, obviously, could indicate more significant damage (or let in moisture).
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything obstructing the microphone of your hearing aid. An obstructed microphone can cause feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or quiet.
- Check your battery: You’ll still want to assess the battery power even if you had your hearing aids on the charger at night. It might be a good idea to check if you may need new batteries or if the old ones are properly inserted, especially if your batteries are replaceable.
Again, consult your owner’s manual on how you should address each of these issues. Self-maintenance is sometimes possible.
How can I tell when my hearing aid needs repair?
Your hearing aid will most likely have to be professionally repaired if you do routine upkeep and it still malfunctions. You need your hearing aids for nearly every facet of your life so this might not sound very appealing.
It’s certainly worth noting that “repair” doesn’t necessarily 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 go.
Or, you’ll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional assistance and get them back in just a few hours (this, obviously, depends on the degree of the damage, all the more reason to get your devices in for repair as soon as possible).
There are still some instances where such quick repair isn’t possible. A backup set of hearing aids may be required in these cases. Maybe you have an old pair that will do temporarily in a pinch. We may even be able to let you borrow a pair while you are waiting.
Don’t wait to get assistance with your hearing aids
It’s crucial to get your hearing aid checked and repaired if you start to notice the sound quality is beginning to fail.
Any degree of downtime should be prevented. Your mental health and your overall health can be affected by untreated hearing loss. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids sitting in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to deteriorate.
Keeping those hearing aids in excellent working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. Keeping them charged, clean, and when necessary, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.
