Trouble hearing? Here’s how to know if your hearing aids require maintenance.
You take care of your hearing aids. You’re extremely cautious with your hearing aids. You charge them every night and clean them every day.
That’s why it’s so irritating that, suddenly and distressingly, your hearing aids are no longer working properly. Luckily, troubleshooting the problem is pretty simple. Keep in mind: your number one job is to avoid damaging your hearing aid further (or you may need to replace them).
Your Hearing Aid Might Need Troubleshooting
Always consult your owner’s manual when doing upkeep and troubleshooting because every model of hearing aid can be a bit different. Here are some things you can check on most models:
- Check for noticeable damage: Loose components or cracks could develop around the shell of your hearing aids so don’t forget to check for that. Cracks could allow moisture in and may be a sign of further damage.
- Keep your microphone clear:Sometimes, the microphone can be blocked. Your hearing aid will sound silent or broken or have feedback if the microphone is blocked.
- Check your battery: Even if you know your hearing aids charged all night, you’ll want to double-check the battery level. If your hearing aid has replaceable batteries, it might be a good idea to check if those batteries are inserted properly or if a new one fixes the issue.
- Wax buildup: Perform a visual check of your hearing aid to ensure that there is no wax buildup interfering with normal operation. Wax builds up rapidly so even if you have a regular cleaning schedule you still need to pay attention to this.
Again, check your owner’s manual on how you might tackle each of these issues. In some cases, you may be able to perform maintenance yourself. (Your owner’s manual is the best place to begin.)
When Does my Hearing Aid Need Servicing?
Your hearing aid will probably need professional servicing if you continue to have problems with it after performing these basic maintenance tasks. Because you depend on your hearing aids for all of your basic conversations and social activities, this most likely doesn’t sound very appealing.
But it’s essential to understand that repair doesn’t always imply sending your hearing aid away. In some cases, we can repair it while you wait.
So in those situations, you will be able to get your hearing aid back before the day’s end (this, of course, depends on the scope of the damage, that’s all the more reason to bring it in for repair as soon as possible).
Not all cases can be addressed in house though. And in those cases, you might find yourself in need of a backup pair of hearing aids. So if you’ve got an old pair lying around, ask us whether they will work temporarily. We might even have some we can loan you while you are waiting.
Don’t Wait to Get Help For Your Hearing Aids
It’s crucial to get your hearing aids serviced as soon as you detect any falter or fading of the sound quality.
If you do this you will be more likely to avoid any downtime. Neglected hearing loss can impact your overall health, including your mental health. An even more significant worry is that your hearing will diminish as your hearing aids sit forgotten in a drawer.
Your best chance of getting the maximum help from your hearing aids is to keep them working at their highest quality. 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 help.