How do I Know if my Hearing Aid Requires Professional Repair?

If you have hearing aids but you're still having trouble hearing, your hearing aids may need professional maintenance.

You take good care of your hearing aids. You're extremely cautious with your hearing aids. You charge them every night and clean them every day.

But you can't figure out why your hearing aids aren't working effectively and it's really frustrating. The good news is, troubleshooting the problem is pretty simple. Just remember: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (otherwise replacing them might be required).

Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid

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:Sometimes, the microphone can be obstructed. Your hearing aid can sound broken or silent or have feedback if the microphone is obstructed.
• Wax accumulation: Check for wax buildup which could be impeding the normal operation of your hearing aids. Wax accumulates quickly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to check for this.
• Check your battery: Even if you're sure your hearing aids charged all night, you'll want to double-check the battery level. If your hearing aid has changeable batteries, it might not be a bad idea to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one solves the problem.
• Look for noticeable damage: Cracks or loose components may develop around the shell of your hearing aids so remember to inspect for that. Cracks, obviously, could reveal more extensive damage (or allow).

Again, check your owner's manual on how you should address each of these issues. Self maintenance will be possible in certain cases. (Your owner's manual is the best place to begin.)

Does my Hearing Aid Need Repair – How do I Know?

Your hearing aid will most likely need professional servicing if you continue to have issues with it after performing these basic maintenance duties. Because you depend on your hearing aids for all of your basic conversations and social activities, this probably doesn't sound very attractive.

However, it's worth pointing out that "repair" doesn't always mean you need to "send your hearing aid out" for service and wait a few weeks. In some cases, we can fix it while you wait.

Meaning, in some cases, you'll be able to bring your hearing aids in for professional help and have them back within a few minutes or hours (this, of course, depends on the magnitude of the damage, which is all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as possible).

Not all cases can be fixed in house though. And in those cases, you may find yourself needing a backup pair of hearing aids. So if you've got an old pair collecting dust, ask us whether they will work temporarily. We might even have a pair we can let you use while you wait.

Get Assistance With Your Hearing Aids Right Away

It's essential to get your hearing aids repaired as soon as you notice any falter or fading of the sound quality.

That's because you hope to eliminate any downtime. Your general health and your mental health are affected by untreated hearing loss. Moreover, once your hearing aids are left in a box somewhere, it's way too easy to pretend they don't exist, all the while, your hearing grows worse and worse.

The best way to keep your hearing healthy is to keep those hearing aids functioning. And the best way to do that is to keep them clean, charge them, and, when needed, take your hearing aids to get some professional assistance.