You go above and beyond to ensure your hearing aids are well taken care of. When you go to bed, you always put them snuggly on the charger and you clean them every day.
But you get pretty distressed when your hearing aids abruptly stop working the way they did once. There are a few things you can do to diagnose the issue, thankfully. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or you may need to replace them).
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
You kept the owner’s manual that came with your beautiful new hearing aids, right? You’ll want to pull it out so you can utilize it for troubleshooting and, potentially, maintenance. Using your owner’s manual is important because every model of hearing aid is different.
On most models there are some other things you can check, here are a few:
- Check for noticeable damage: Does your hearing aid have any noticeable loose components or cracks in its shell? If you find cracks, it could suggest that moisture is getting in and there could be more extensive damage.
- Keep your microphone clear: Check your hearing aid to find out if anything is obstructing the microphone. Your hearing aid may feedback or merely fail to work if the microphone is blocked.
- Wax buildup: Be certain that there is no wax on your hearing aid by giving it a visual inspection. Wax can build up quickly even if you clean your hearing aids regularly so make it a point to double check.
- Check your battery: Even if you know your hearing aids spent the night on the charger, you’ll want to double-check the battery power. It might be a good idea to check if you may need new batteries or if the old ones are properly inserted, especially if your batteries are replaceable.
Once again you can learn how to deal with each of these concerns by consulting your owner’s manual. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself.
How will I know when my hearing aid requires repair?
If your hearing aid continues to malfunction after you’ve performed basic maintenance and troubleshooting, it’s likely that your hearing aid will need to be professionally repaired. You need your hearing aids for nearly every aspect of your life so this may not sound really appealing.
It’s definitely worth taking note that “repair” doesn’t necessarily translate into “mail your hearing aids in for service and wait a few weeks”. In some cases, we can fix it in office and you can take it with you when you leave.
Or, you’ll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional help and have them back in just a few hours (this, of course, depends on the degree of the damage, all the more reason to get your devices in for repair as soon as you can).
There are still some instances where such rapid repair is not possible. And in those situations, you may find yourself in need of a backup set of hearing aids. So if you’ve got 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.
Get assistance with your hearing aids without delay
If the audio quality is beginning to falter, it’s essential to get your hearing aids checked and repaired.
You’ll want to try to avoid any downtime. Your mental health and your general health can be affected by neglected hearing loss. And it becomes all too easy to leave your hearing aids laying in a drawer somewhere while your hearing continues to deteriorate.
The optimum way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids working. And the best way to do that is to keep them clean, keep them charged, and, when necessary, take your hearing aids to get some professional help.