Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet abruptly disappears? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of learning about who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It’s not a very good feeling.
When technology malfunctions, it can be really aggravating. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. Most of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to stay connected to loved ones, have conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. How do hearing aids just stop working? So what should you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to identify and troubleshoot those problems.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices. Even still, there are some common issues that individuals with hearing aids may experience. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to hear a horrific whistling sound. Or maybe you notice a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Here are three possible problems that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- You may not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you may find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should speak with us about it).
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a rather common one. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this sort of earwax accumulation. You can attempt to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some help from us.
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as you can and make certain nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
If these issues aren’t easily resolved, it’s worth consulting with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for servicing (depending on what we think the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
Hearing aids not producing sound
Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s what they’re created to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound in my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly not right. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Here are a few things to watch for:
- Your settings: Cycle through the personalized settings if your device includes them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing could be off as a result.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning on the hearing aid before. Be sure that isn’t the issue. This possible issue can then be eliminated..
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make certain that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out on occasion.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the speakers or microphone. Keep your device really clean.
We are here for you if these measures don’t clear your issues up. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears begin hurting? And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids every day if they hurt your ears. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable concept of how long it may take you to become comfortable with your devices. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be having.
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. Needless to say, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can sometimes be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be customized to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with discomfort over the long haul. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
Bypass problems with a little test drive
Before you commit to a pair of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to test them for a while. In the majority of instances we’ll let you test out a set of devices before you determine that’s the pair for you.
Selecting the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any ongoing problems you may have, are all things we will help with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!
