Your new hearing aids are remarkable devices that can improve your hearing and lifestyle. However, they are not invincible, so you might occasionally encounter an issue with your hearing aids. The team at Sound Audiology welcomes your questions and will gladly assist you with any problems. For those times when our office is closed, we’ve put together this troubleshooting guide to help you. Here is a list of some of the most common hearing aid problems and how to fix them.
Problem #1: Lack of Sound
- Make sure your hearing aid is switched on. Believe it or not, patients sometimes forget to switch it on or the device accidently gets switched off when inserting it into the ear. The power is switched on or off by a manual switch, so be careful when handling your devices.
- Ensure you have the volume set at your ideal sound level. Just like the on/off switch, the volume can also be accidently adjusted.
- If the power is switched to “on” and your volume control is set to the correct level, then give the battery a good inspection. Has it been inserted correctly with the right side up? Does the cover fit completely into place? If everything looks good, you might have a dead battery. Your battery will need to be charged or replaced with a new one.
- If a new battery doesn’t solve the problem, give the receiver tube a thorough check. If you see any dirt or blockage, then give the tube a good cleaning.
- Finally, have a look at the microphone. Can you see any dirt? A build-up of earwax, dust, or dirt could block sounds from entering. Give the microphone a good clean and then try your hearing aid again.
Problem #2: Everything Sounds Different
- Make sure your customized program and volume settings haven’t changed. If they accidently were adjusted, then reset them to the right settings. If you are unsure of how to do this or you don’t know your correct settings, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. You might find it useful to write down your settings and put your notes in a safe place for future reference.
- Sometimes the controls can get jammed by the wax, dirt, and fluff that often accumulates around them. Try to rotate the dials or move any switches to free any residue. Make sure your settings are still correct before inserting your hearing aids afterwards, though.
- If sounds still don’t seem right, then give your hearing aids a good clean. Ensure that the earpiece, microphone, and tube are free of any wax, dust, or fluff that could build up and prevent sounds from getting through to your inner ear.
- Inspect the battery and its contacts on both sides of the battery terminal. Do they look corroded? If so, they will need to be replaced.
- If the batteries aren’t corroded, check for any moisture within the hearing aid. The best way to eliminate moisture is by using a drying kit or a dehumidifier overnight. Our office can suggest suitable equipment, so please give us a call for further details.
- If you’ve followed these troubleshooting tips and you are still having trouble, then contact us for further assistance.
Problem #3: Feedback and Whistling Sounds
- Have you inserted your hearing aid correctly into your ear? Remove it and try again while keeping your head straight without moving. It is important that it is placed properly within the ear.
- If this doesn’t resolve the problem, select a smaller or larger earpiece or you could try a closed tip dome earpiece. A different earpiece might ensure a better fit.
- The whistling and feedback you are hearing could be caused by too much noise reaching the hearing aid. Lowering the volume may resolve this issue.
- Can you see any cracks in the ear hook or tubing? If you do, contact us to arrange a repair at our office.
- If the whistling continues, earwax could be the culprit. An earwax build-up could prevent sounds from moving through your ear canal. If you think you have earwax build-up, it is best to seek treatment at our office rather than trying to clear it out on your own.
Problem #4: The Fit Doesn’t Feel Right
- Hearing aids are intricate devices. The slightest bump or nudge can affect their shape and fit. Perhaps you accidently dropped your hearing aid, and even though it looks the same, it has actually changed slightly. If you’ve dropped or knocked your hearing aid in any way, the best thing to do is to bring it in for one of our professional experts to check it over. Don’t try to fix it yourself.
- Another point to consider is that the shape of your ear canal can slowly change over the years. Therefore, your fitting requirements can also change.
No matter your problem or question, the Sound Audiology and Hearing Aids team is here to help you and ensure that you are completely comfortable and satisfied with your hearing devices. Please fill out this callback form and we will be in touch shortly to assist you.
