If you have hearing aids but you’re still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids may require professional maintenance.
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 bed.
That’s why it’s so frustrating that, suddenly and distressingly, your hearing aids aren’t working properly. The good news is, troubleshooting the issue is pretty simple. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or else replacing them may be required).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Always consult with your owner’s manual when performing upkeep and troubleshooting because every model of hearing aid can be a bit different. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Examine your battery: Always double check your battery level even if you’re sure your hearing aid charged all night. Even rechargeable batteries need to be replaced sooner or later and sometimes you might not have them fully inserted.
- Look for visible damage: Cracks or loose components may occur around the shell of your hearing aids so don’t forget to check for that. Cracks, clearly, could indicate more significant damage (or allow).
- Keep your microphone clear:Sometimes, the microphone can be obstructed. An obstructed microphone can create feedback or can make your hearing aid sound silent or broken.
- Wax buildup: Perform a visual check of your hearing aid to ensure that there is no wax accumulation interfering with standard operation. Wax accumulates quickly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to check for this.
Each of these issues will have a unique solution so check your owner’s manual. In some cases, you might be able to perform maintenance on your own. (But, once 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 doing these basic maintenance tasks. Because you depend on your hearing aids for all of your everyday 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. Sometimes, we can repair it while you wait.
That means, in some cases, you’ll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional maintenance and have them back within a few minutes or hours (this, of course, depends on the extent of the damage, which is all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as you can).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. A backup pair could be required in those situations. So if you’ve got an old pair collecting dust, ask us whether they will work temporarily. There may even be a loaner pair at our office that we can loan you until yours come back.
Get Assistance With Your Hearing Aids As Soon as Possible
If the hearing aids are beginning to fade, the sound quality is beginning to falter, it’s crucial to have it repaired.
If you do this you will be more likely to eliminate any downtime. Untreated hearing loss can impact your total health, including your mental health. An even more serious concern is that your hearing will get worse as your hearing aids sit ignored in a drawer.
The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids functioning. Keeping them charged and clean and if necessary, taking them in for maintenance is the easiest way to do that.