Fixing Fickle Hearing Aids

Got fickle hearing aids?

Despite how highly technical and ever-advancing hearing aids are, the tiny devices are prone to malfunction from time to time. Examples of hearing aids going haywire include:

• No sound
• Low sounds
• Intermittent sound
• Feedback, such as static or whistling.

Fortunately, these issues don’t necessarily mean you need new hearing aids. Often times, common hearing aid malfunctions can be fixed by following a few tips and tricks. These DIY problem-solving tips can help you save time and money.

Common troubleshooting tips

If your hearing aids aren’t working as they should, consider the tips and tricks prior to calling your prescribing audiologist or hearing healthcare professional.

• Check the on/off switch. Sometimes, flimsy hands can accidentally push the on/off switch of a hearing aid off, causing those wearing them to believe the devices aren’t working.
• Check the volume. Just like with the on/off switch, those clumsy fingers can also easily bump the volume control. When the volume is too loud, the wearer may hear feedback or static. If the volume is too low, the person may hear no sound at all. ,
• Check the battery. Over time, batteries can become dislodged or inserted incorrectly, especially if someone is in a rush. When batteries aren’t in the right position, the hearing aids may produce intermittent, low or no sound. It is also important to test the strength of the batteries. Weak batteries will not produce much sound and the sound it does produce will likely be weak or intermittent.
• Check the tubing. Behind-the-ear hearing aids, which include tubing, can sometimes malfunction when the tubing has excess moisture or is damaged.
• Clean the hearing aid. Because hearing aids get a lot of daily use, it’s easy for debris and earwax to build up on the devices. If your hearing aids are not working properly, make sure to give them a thorough cleaning with the proper tools to see if that helps solve any issues.

Seeking professional help

If none of the troubleshooting tips fix the hearing aids, you will likely need professional assessment and help to diagnose what’s going wrong with your hearing aid. Schedule an appointment with your audiologist to have your hearing aids evaluated. Your audiologist will be able to figure out what is wrong with the hearing aid and how to best fix it.