Have you ever had your internet disappear right as you’re getting to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Perhaps it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
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 discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become much more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you depend on. Why would your hearing aids just quit functioning? 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 recognize 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 people with hearing aids might encounter. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to notice a dreadful whistling sound. Or maybe you notice some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible issues:
- Your hearing aids might not be seated in your ears correctly. Try taking them out and putting them back in. 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 is indeed not quite right and you should talk to us about it).
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that connects your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as well as you can and make sure nothing is loose and the tube doesn’t appear damaged.
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can compromise the way your hearing aid functions. You’ll notice this comes up pretty regularly. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. You can try to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some assistance from us.
If these issues are not easily resolved, it’s worth speaking with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for servicing (depending on what we determine the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
No sound coming from your hearing aids
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 drop all sound? Here are a few things to watch for:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Have a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to make certain the device is nice and clean.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, be sure that they’re fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a small room because the setting is wrong. This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Make certain that isn’t the issue. This potential issue can then be eliminated..
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we may have the solution. We’ll be able to help you identify the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
Your ears hurt while you’re wearing your hearing aids
Perhaps your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids on a daily basis if they make your ears hurt. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting accustomed to your hearing aids will take some time. How long will depend on the person. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can expect. If uncomfortable ears persist, speak with us about that too!
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when they fit tightly. Which means that there can sometimes be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems you’ll have with discomfort over the long run. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to avoid possible issues with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test run before you decide. In most instances we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you determine that’s the set for you.
Choosing the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any extended issues you might have, are all things we will assist with. In other words, when your devices quit working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!
