You go out of your way 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 bed.
Suddenly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working the way they once did. There are several things you can do to diagnose the problem, thankfully. Not doing any further damage is your top priority so you won’t 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 spot. Hopefully, you did so that you can consult with your owner’s manual to do maintenance and troubleshooting. Each model of hearing aid can be somewhat different so it’s important to follow the manual’s guidelines.
Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Keep your microphone clear: Check your hearing aid to see if anything is obstructing the microphone. Your hearing aid might feedback or merely fail to work if the microphone is obstructed.
- Wax accumulation: Do a visual check of your hearing aid to make sure that there is no wax buildup interfering with standard functionality. Even if you perform routine cleaning, sometimes wax can build up quickly, so it’s worth ticking this off your list.
- Check your battery: You’ll still want to check the battery power even if you had your hearing aids charging overnight. It may be a good idea to check if you may need new batteries or if the old ones are correctly inserted, particularly if your batteries are replaceable.
- Check for noticeable damage: Does your hearing aid have any obvious loose components or cracks in its shell? If you discover cracks, it could suggest that moisture is getting in and there might be more extensive damage.
Again, consult your owner’s manual on how you might address each of these concerns. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
How will I know when my hearing aid requires repair?
Your hearing aid will probably have to be professionally repaired if you do routine upkeep and it still malfunctions. You need your hearing aids for nearly every aspect of your life so this may not sound really appealing.
It’s definitely worth noting that “repair” doesn’t necessarily translate into “send your hearing aids in for service and wait a few weeks”. In some instances, we can fix your hearing aid in office while you wait.
Or, depending on the extent of the damage, you could get your hearing aids back in a few hours.
But fast repair will not be possible in every case. And in those cases, you may find yourself needing a backup set of hearing aids. So if you have an old pair lying around, ask whether they will serve temporarily. We may even be able to loan you 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 essential to get your hearing aids checked and repaired.
You’ll want to try to avoid any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can affect your general health, and that includes your mental health. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids laying in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to diminish.
The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids working. Keeping them charged, clean, and when needed, professionally repaired is the best way to do that.
