You go above and beyond to ensure your hearing aids are well cared for. Cleaning them daily, you make sure they are safe and snug on their charger when you go to sleep.
But you get pretty distressed when your hearing aids suddenly stop working the way they used to. Thankfully, there are some measures you can take to troubleshoot the issue. Just don’t forget: your main job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or you might have to replace them).
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
Naturally, when you first got your sweet new hearing aids, you made a point of putting the owner’s manual in a safe place. Hopefully, you did so that you can check with your owner’s manual to do maintenance and troubleshooting. Using 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:
- Check your battery: Even if you know your hearing aids spent the night on the charger, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might not be a bad plan to check if those batteries are correctly inserted or if a new one resolves the issue.
- Wax accumulation: Perform a visual check of your hearing aid to make sure that there is no wax buildup interfering with basic operation. Even if you undertake regular cleaning, sometimes wax can build up quickly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Look for visible damage: Does your hearing aid have any obvious loose components or cracks in its shell? If you discover cracks, it could mean that moisture is getting in and there could be more significant damage.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check your hearing aid to find out if anything is blocking the microphone. An obstructed microphone can create feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or quiet.
Once again you can learn how to deal with each of these issues by referring to your owner’s manual. Self-maintenance is sometimes possible.
How can I tell when my hearing aid requires 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 almost every aspect of your life so this may not sound very appealing.
You won’t necessarily be without your hearing aid for extended periods of time just because it needs to be serviced. In some cases, we can fix your hearing aid in office while you wait.
Or, depending on the level of the damage, you could get your hearing aids back in a few hours.
There are still some instances where such fast repair isn’t possible. And in those cases, you might find yourself in need of a backup set of hearing aids. Perhaps 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 help with your hearing aids
If the sound quality is beginning to fail, it’s crucial to get your hearing aids checked and repaired.
You’ll want to avoid any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can affect your overall health, and that includes your mental health. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids sitting in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to diminish.
Keeping those hearing aids in good working order is the secret to keeping your hearing healthy. And the best way to do that is to clean them, keep them charged, and, when needed, bring your hearing aids to get some professional help.