If you have hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids might need professional repair.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re very cautious with your hearing aids. Cleaning them every day, you make sure they are snug on their charger when you go to sleep.
But you can’t understand why your hearing aids aren’t working efficiently and it’s really frustrating. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to resolve the issue. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (otherwise replacing them may be necessary).
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid
Every design of hearing aid is different so use your owner manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Wax buildup: Inspect for wax buildup which could be stopping the normal functionality of your hearing aids. Even if you undertake routine cleaning, sometimes wax can build up quickly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything obstructing the microphone of your hearing aid. Your hearing aid will sound silent or broken or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Check for visible damage: Cracks or loose components may develop around the shell of your hearing aids so don’t forget to check for that. Cracks could let moisture in and may be a sign of further damage.
- Check your battery: Even if you know 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.
Again, consult your owner’s manual on how you might approach each of these problems. Self maintenance will be possible in certain cases. (But, again, consult the instructions.)
Does my Hearing Aid Need Repair – How do I Know?
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 seem appealing, let’s be honest, you depend on your hearing aid for everyday communication (not to mention dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix shows, etc).
However, it’s worth pointing out that “repair” doesn’t always translate into “mail your hearing aids in” for service and wait several weeks. There are some scenarios where it can be repaired in shop while you wait.
That means, in some cases, you’ll be capable of bringing your hearing aids in for professional maintenance and have them back in a matter of minutes or hours (this is why it’s a smart idea to bring your hearing aid in so we can ascertain the damage).
There are still some circumstances where same day repair is not possible. A backup pair could be necessary in those situations. So if you’ve got an old pair collecting dust, ask us whether they will work temporarily. We may even have some we can let you use while you wait.
Don’t Put Off Getting Help With Your Hearing Aids
It’s essential to have your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the sound quality.
That’s because you really want to eliminate any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are affected by untreated hearing loss. More to the point, once your hearing aids are left in a box somewhere, it’s very easy to pretend they don’t exist, even as, your hearing grows worse and worse.
The best way to get the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them functioning at their highest quality. Keeping them clean and charged and if necessary, bringing them in for maintenance is the best way to do that.
