Common Issues and Quick Fixes for Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are invaluable devices for millions of Americans. They offer customized solutions for different types and levels of hearing loss. There is no denying that hearing aids can significantly improve your quality of life. So, the last thing you need is to experience problems with your hearing aids. The first question that might come to mind is: do I have to seek professional hearing aid repairs? In reality, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue yourself. Here are the top troubleshooting tips to fix hearing aid problems.

There is No Sound Present

Why are your hearing aids not producing any sound? There could be two main aspects to consider here. Firstly, your hearing aids are producing sound, but it is not coming to you. This is typically easy to check. If you examine your hearing aids carefully, you can rapidly spot whether anything is blocking either the sound outlet or the microphone opening. Often this is a case of earwax buildup on the device and only needs to be cleaned up!

Secondly, if there is no sound coming out, there may be one of many reasons:

• The battery is dead: Your hearing aids need charging, or you need to change the disposable battery.
• The volume is too low: Try turning the volume up.
• You’ve accidentally changed the hearing aid settings: It’s worth checking if your hearing aids still have your custom program stored.
• The device is damaged: At this point, if there are visible signs of damage, you may need to consider hearing aid repairs.

Funny or Distorted Sounds

Distorted sounds are typically a sign of an issue with the device. The first check is whether you are using the right settings. Additionally, you may want to check for signs of damage, as this could be a sign that you need a hearing aid repair. If there are no visible signs of damage, this could be a case of corrosion around the battery contacts if you have a removable battery. You can try cleaning them and replacing the battery to see if this can resolve the issue.

Whistling or Feedback

If your hearing aids are not inserted properly, they may produce a whistling sound. You can easily fix it by removing and re-inserting them. For molded hearing aids, this could be a sign that they do not fit your ear properly. You may need to consult an audiologist to have it remolded to your ear.

Alternatively, there could be an issue with the way the sound travels to you. For instance, if the volume is too high, there may be too much sound leaking, which can cause whistling. Another issue could be earwax blockage, which can lead to hearing aid feedback sounds.

When to Seek an Audiologist

If troubleshooting at home doesn’t resolve the issues, it’s time to consult an audiologist to check your hearing aids. They can provide timely assistance, potentially fixing the problem during the same visit. Additionally, if hearing aid repairs are necessary, your audiologist can manage that process seamlessly. Feel free to reach out to an audiologist to fix your hearing aid issues.