Difficulty hearing? Here’s how to know if your hearing aids require repair.
You take good care of your hearing aids. You baby them. Cleaning them on a daily basis, you make sure they are snug on their charger when you go to sleep.
That’s why it’s so irritating that, abruptly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working properly. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to resolve the issue. Keep in mind: avoiding damage is your first task (or else replacing them could be required).
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid
Make sure you consult your owner’s manual when performing maintenance and troubleshooting as every model of hearing aid can be somewhat different. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Keep your microphone clear:On occasion, the microphone can be obstructed. Your hearing aid can sound broken or silent or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Check for noticeable damage: Cracks or loose components could occur around the shell of your hearing aids so remember to check for that. Cracks could let moisture in and may be an indicator of further damage.
- Examine your battery: Always double check your battery level even if you are certain your hearing aid charged all night. If your hearing aid has changeable batteries, it may be a good idea to check if those batteries are inserted correctly or if a new one solves the problem.
- Wax accumulation: Perform a visual inspection of your hearing aid to ensure that there is no wax buildup preventing ordinary functionality. Even if you undertake routine cleaning, occasionally wax can accumulate rapidly, so it’s worth ticking this off your list.
Each of these issues will have its own solution so consult your owner’s manual. In some cases, you may be capable of performing maintenance yourself. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to begin.)
Does my Hearing Aid Need servicing – How Can I Tell?
Your hearing aid will probably require professional servicing if you continue to have issues 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 most likely doesn’t sound very appealing.
However, it’s worth mentioning that “repair” doesn’t always mean you need to “send your hearing aid out” for service and wait several weeks. There are some situations where it can be fixed in shop while you wait.
Meaning, in some cases, you’ll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional help and get them back in a matter of minutes or hours (this, of course, depends on the extent of the damage, that’s all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as possible).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. And in those cases, you could find yourself in need of a backup pair of hearing aids. So if you’ve got an old pair collecting dust, ask us whether they will work temporarily. There may even be a loaner set at our office that we can loan you until yours come back.
Don’t Wait to Get Help For Your Hearing Aids
If the hearing aids are starting to fade, the sound quality is starting to falter, it’s crucial to get it repaired.
If you do this you will be more likely to avoid any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can impact your overall health, and that includes your mental health. An even more significant worry is that your hearing will diminish as your hearing aids sit ignored in a drawer.
The best way to get the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them working at their highest quality. And the best way to do that is to clean them, keep them charged, and, when necessary, take your hearing aids to get some professional assistance.