What Causes Hearing Aids to Stop Working

Have you ever found yourself wondering why your hearing aids suddenly fall silent? It can be quite frustrating when you rely on them to hear what’s happening around you. But you have the power to troubleshoot and resolve these issues. An audiologist can help you to understand why your hearing aids have stopped working and help you get the necessary repairs.

Battery

Depending on how often you use your hearing aids, the battery, which could be a zinc-air or a lithium-ion battery, can last anywhere from three to 22 days. Change the battery to see if this is the cause. If the batteries have been running low, you might have noticed a decrease in hearing levels or high-pitched s sounds, both of which are signs you need to replace your hearing aid battery.

Blocked Tubing

Its job is to carry the sound from the device to your ear. The tubing can sometimes get clogged with earwax. To clean it, gently remove the tubing from your hearing aid and use a soft, dry cloth or a special cleaning tool to wipe away any wax or debris. This can mess with the sound quality. So, if you notice any changes in your hearing, it’s time to check if the tube needs cleaned.

Cracked Tubing

Another issue you might encounter with your hearing aids is that the tubing becomes damaged, meaning it cannot properly transport sound from the device through the earpiece. Take your hearing aid off and inspect the tubing for any signs of wear and tear. Look for kinks or twists in the tube, cracks or holes and dirt buildup that could be impacting the quality of the tube. If you notice any signs of damage to your tube, you need to order a replacement part.

Water Damage

Typically, hearing aids are water resistant, which means they can withstand some exposure to water, such as sweat or light rain. However, they’re not waterproof, meaning that if they get wet or come into contact with a lot of water, they can become damaged. Take the time to dry your device out. If you suspect it has water damage, take the battery out and then try to use it once it’s completely dry. If it’s still not working, then you might need to talk to your audiologist about hearing aid repairs.

Internal Damage

Your hearing aids are small electronic devices, and over time, with ongoing wear, the internal parts might become damaged, such as the microphone, receiver, amplifier or parts might be faulty. If the sound quality changes, you’re getting more interference or strange noises through your hearing aid or the device is not turning on, repairs might be required to identify and rectify the fault.

There are various reasons why your hearing aid might stop working, from needing a good cleaning to requiring repairs. Your audiologist can guide you on how to spot signs of damage and stress the importance of regular care and maintenance for your hearing aids.