Have you ever had your internet disappear right as you’re getting to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch an endless spinning circle. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It’s not a great feeling.
Technology can be tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work properly. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. The majority of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with the means to remain connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can start to recognize and troubleshoot those problems.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids may encounter. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Feedback and whistling
Perhaps you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a conversation with a friend or relative. Or maybe you detect a bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- You may not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try removing them and putting them back in. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you might 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 tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Have a close look to identify whether the tube might have separated or might be damaged in some way.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax buildup in your ear canal. You’ll find this comes up pretty regularly. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this type of earwax buildup. You can try 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.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s what they’re made to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely not right. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a few things:
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are completely charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the speakers or microphone. You want to make certain the device is good and clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom setting (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of at the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing may be off as a result.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Check for this first. Then you can eliminate that as potential problems.
We are here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears begin aching? And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears ache when I use my hearing aids? This kind of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to using your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting quite right, there can be some pain. Many hearing aids can be customized to your particular ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer issues if you have a good fit. We will be able to help you achieve the best possible fit from your devices.
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can anticipate. If uncomfortable ears continue, talk to us about that too!
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a good idea to test them for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Selecting the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any ongoing issues you may have, are all things we will help with. In other words, when your devices stop working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s most likely more reliable than your internet company.