Trouble hearing? Here’s how to know if your hearing aids require maintenance.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re really careful with your hearing aids. Cleaning them daily, you make certain 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 the way they should. Luckily, troubleshooting the problem is pretty straight forward. Just remember: preventing damage is your number one task (otherwise replacing them could be necessary).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Every design of hearing aid is different so use your owner manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Wax buildup: Perform a visual check of your hearing aid to ensure that there is no wax accumulation interfering with normal operation. Even if you do routine cleaning, occasionally wax can build up quickly, so it’s worth ticking this off your list.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything obstructing the microphone of your hearing aid. Your hearing aid can sound silent or broken or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Check your battery: Even if you know your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might not be a bad idea to check if those batteries are inserted correctly or if a new one solves the problem.
- Look for noticeable damage: Check if there are any visible cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks could allow moisture in and might be an indicator of additional damage.
Each of these problems will have its own strategy so consult your owner’s manual. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance on your own. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to begin.)
When Does my Hearing Aid Need Repair?
Your hearing aid will probably require professional servicing if you keep having problems with it after carrying out these basic maintenance tasks. That may not always seem appealing, after all, you rely on your hearing aid for daily communication (along with dinners with your family, staying current with your favorite Netflix series, and so on).
However, it’s worth noting that “repair” doesn’t always mean you need to “send your hearing aid out” for service and wait several weeks. There are some scenarios where it can be repaired in shop while you wait.
So in those situations, you will be able to get your hearing aid back before the day’s end (this, of course, depends on the scope of the damage, that’s all the more reason to bring your devices in for repair as soon as possible).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. A backup pair could be required in those situations. An old pair might be able to do a decent job as a backup so bring them in with you if you have a pair. There might even be a loaner set at our office that you can use until yours come back.
Get Help With Your Hearing Aids Sooner Rather Than Later
It’s essential to get your hearing aids serviced as soon as you experience any falter or fading of the audio quality.
That’s because you really want to avoid any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are impacted by neglected hearing loss. Moreover, once your hearing aids are ignored in a box somewhere, it’s all too easy to pretend they don’t exist, all the while, your hearing progressively worsens.
Your best chance of getting the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them functioning at their highest quality. Keeping them clean and charged and if necessary, taking them in for service is the best way to do that.