Have you ever had your internet disappear just as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of learning about who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will just come back on its own? It kind of stinks.
When technology breaks down, it can be really frustrating. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. Most of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to stay connected to loved ones, have conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you depend on. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can begin to recognize and troubleshoot those issues.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids may experience. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to hear a horrific whistling sound. Or perhaps you detect a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Whistling and feedback can be caused by these possible problems:
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears properly. Try taking them out and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t correct you may need to come in so we can help you get a better fit.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. You’ll find this comes up pretty often. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this kind of earwax accumulation. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best method to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Have a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or might be compromised in some way.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these issues if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their principal function! Something has certainly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could be the explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make certain that isn’t the issue. This possible problem can then be eliminated..
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
- Your settings: Scroll through the custom settings if your device includes them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom setting (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of around the kitchen table). This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
If these steps don’t help with your issues, we might have the answers. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears start hurting? And you’re likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids on a daily basis if they hurt your ears. So, why do they ache?
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get used to your hearing aids. Each person will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long haul. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
Avoid issues with a little test drive
Before you decide on a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to try them out for a while. In the majority of cases we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
Choosing the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any extended problems you might have, are all things we will assist with. In other words, when your devices quit working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s most likely more dependable than your internet company.
