If you use hearing aids but you’re still having difficulty hearing, your hearing aids might need professional repair.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re very careful with your hearing aids. You charge them nightly and clean them daily.
But you can’t understand why your hearing aids aren’t working effectively and it’s very frustrating. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to resolve the problem. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or else replacing them might be necessary).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Every model of hearing aid is different so use your owner manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Wax buildup: Check for wax accumulation which could be impeding the normal operation of your hearing aids. Even if you perform regular cleaning, occasionally wax can build up rapidly, 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 might sound silent or broken or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Examine your battery: Always double check your battery power even if you’re sure your hearing aid sat on the charger all night. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it may be a good idea to check if those batteries are in properly or if a new one fixes the issue.
- Check for noticeable damage: Check if there are any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks, clearly, could indicate more extensive damage (or allow).
Each of these issues will have a unique solution so consult your owner’s manual. Self maintenance will be a possibility in some cases. (But, again, consult the instructions.)
Does my Hearing Aid require servicing – How Can I Tell?
Your hearing aid will most likely require professional servicing if you continue to have problems with it after doing these basic maintenance tasks. Because you depend on your hearing aids for all of your basic conversations and social activities, this probably doesn’t sound very attractive.
But it’s essential to understand that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid away. There are some circumstances where it can be repaired in shop while you wait.
So in those cases, you will be able to get your hearing aid back before the day’s end (this is why it’s a smart idea to bring your hearing aid in so we can determine the damage).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. And on those occasions, you might find yourself needing a backup pair of hearing aids. 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 may even be a loaner set at our office that we can loan you until you get yours back.
Get Help With Your Hearing Aids Sooner Rather Than Later
If your hearing aids are starting to fade, the audio quality is starting to fail, it’s crucial to get it repaired.
That’s because you hope to avoid any downtime. Neglected hearing loss can affect your general health, including your mental health. An even more serious concern is that your hearing will get worse as your hearing aids sit forgotten in a drawer.
The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep your hearing aids working. And the easiest way to do that is to clean them, charge them, and, when necessary, take your hearing aids to get some professional help.