Difficulty hearing? Here’s how you can know if your hearing aids need maintenance.
You take 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 sleep.
But you can’t figure out why your hearing aids aren’t functioning effectively and it’s very frustrating. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. Keep in mind: avoiding damage is your number one job (or else replacing them might be required).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Every design of hearing aid is different so make use of your owner manual for troubleshooting and maintenance. On most models, these things can be checked:
- Keep your microphone clear: Check for anything blocking the microphone of your hearing aid. An obstructed microphone can create feedback or can cause your hearing aids to sound broken or silent.
- Wax accumulation: Inspect for wax buildup which could be impeding the standard functionality of your hearing aids. Even if you do routine cleaning, occasionally wax can accumulate rapidly, so it’s worth checking this off your list.
- Examine your battery: Always check your battery level even if you are sure your hearing aid sat on the charger all night. If your hearing aid has changeable batteries, it might be a good idea to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one solves the problem.
- Look for noticeable damage: Check to see if there are any noticeable cracks or loose components around the shell of your hearing aid. Cracks, obviously, could indicate more significant damage (or allow).
Each of these concerns will have a unique solution so consult your owner’s manual. Self maintenance will be a possibility in some cases. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to start.)
When Does my Hearing Aid Require Servicing?
Your hearing aid will most likely need professional servicing if you continue to have issues with it after doing these basic maintenance duties. That may not always sound appealing, after all, you depend on your hearing aid for daily communication (not to mention dinners with your family, keeping up to date with your favorite Netflix shows, etc).
But it’s essential to understand that repair doesn’t always mean sending your hearing aid out for repair. There are some situations where it can be repaired in shop while you wait.
That means, in some cases, you’ll be capable of bringing your hearing aids in for professional maintenance and get them back within a few minutes or hours (this is why it’s a good idea to bring your hearing aid to us so we can assess the damage).
Not all scenarios can be addressed in house though. And on those occasions, you may find yourself in need of a backup pair of hearing aids. 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. We may even have a pair we can let you use while you are waiting.
Don’t Put Off Getting Help For Your Hearing Aids
It’s crucial to get your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the audio quality.
That’s because you want to eliminate any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are affected by neglected hearing loss. Moreover, once your hearing aids are forgotten in a box somewhere, it’s way too easy to pretend they don’t exist, even as, your hearing progressively worsens.
The best way to get the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them functioning at their highest quality. Keeping them clean and charged and if necessary, bringing them in for service is the easiest way to do that.