Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly disappears? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch an endless spinning circle. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Maybe it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
When technology breaks down, it can be very aggravating. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you stay connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they talk to you.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you count on. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So how do you cope with that? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can start to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids may experience. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Feedback and whistling
Perhaps you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a chat with a friend or family member. Or perhaps you detect a little bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- The tubing that connects 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 detached or might be damaged somehow.
- Your hearing aids might not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try to remove them and re-seat them. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit is indeed not quite right and you should consult us about it).
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax buildup in your ear canal. You’ll notice this comes up pretty regularly. Whistling and feedback are frequently one result of this sort of earwax buildup. You can attempt to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some help from us.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main purpose of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their principal function! Something has definitely gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are completely charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to be sure the device is nice and clean.
- Your settings: Scroll through the personalized settings if your device includes them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. This potential problem can then be eliminated..
We’re here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you determine the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re likely wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids every day if they make your ears hurt. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious issue. Naturally, when the fit is nice and snug, 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 specific ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer problems if you have a tight fit. We will be able to help you get the best possible fit from your devices.
- Time: Getting used to your hearing aids will take some time. Each person will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable idea of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you might be experiencing.
Bypass issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to prevent possible issues with hearing aids is to take them for a bit of a test run before you commit. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
In fact, we can help you figure out the best type of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any extended issues you might have with your devices. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get with an over-the-counter hearing aid!
