How to Troubleshoot Common Hearing Aid Problems

If there is one thing that can make a significant difference to your quality of life, it's wearing hearing aids. They can amplify sound for you again where before, it was muffled. With the help of a hearing aid specialist, you're going to be able to reclaim some lost identity. Most of the time, those with hearing issues and hearing loss lose themselves in isolation while the struggle to deal with their hearing loss alone. However, with hearing aids, this needn't be a struggle anymore.

As with any tool of technology, you need to maintain your hearing aids as best you can so that they can be in the right condition for use. Hearing aid repairs are often required, but you can solve problems if you know how to troubleshoot your hearing aids yourself. A hearing aid specialist can happily help you with your hearing aid repairs, but we've got some of the easiest ways to troubleshoot your hearing aid issues below.

The sound has cut out

When you use hearing aids, the sound should be fluid and easy. There should be no interruptions and shouldn't have any fluctuations in the volume. It can be an annoyance for you to use hearing aids that consistently cut out or have the volume fluctuate up and down. Here's how to fix it if it happens:

• Check the microphone, earpiece and tubes for dirt or wax debris. Sometimes a simple piece of debris can interrupt the sound. Give it a clean with a clean and dry cloth.
• Reset the controls with your preferences and turn the volume up to see if that helps.
• Double check the voltage on your hearing aid battery to ensure that it's not too low. Replacing the battery can stop the interruptions.

There is no sound at all

If you've put your hearing aids into your ears and you still don't hear anything, there are a few reasons behind it. Let's take a look:

• Sometimes, the hearing aid is turned on and off manually, and something as simple as leaving it off can be the very reason you haven't heard anything! Switch it on – the problem should be solved.
• If your device is already on, the next port of call should be in the volume. The volume should be up to your usual standard, and if it doesn't turn it up. Sometimes, they can slip to a lower setting without you realizing.
• You may have ensured that the device is on and that the volume is up, but that doesn't mean it's working correctly. Check the battery door to make sure that it's pressed into the hearing aid properly.
• Checking the battery is a good idea, and if a fresh battery doesn't work inside the hearing aid, the receiver tube could be blocked. Clean out the tube and check if this works.
• The next step is to check the microphone and clean this of any wax or dirt, too.

The sound is distorted or too quiet

When you put your hearing aids in, it should be loud enough no matter the volume. If the sound is too soft or the noise is distorted, try these steps:

• Check the program and volume for your hearing aid – just in case it's not set to the correct one.
• Sometimes, debris or dust can settle in control. Moving the controls and rotating them can clear them of any debris.
• Cleaning the components of the hearing aid is the best thing to do before checking the battery and replacing it.
• Moisture can get into the system so that an overnight dehumidifier can solve the problem. If this doesn't work, you may need to get your hearing aid repairs completed by a hearing aid specialist. You shouldn't wait for this to be done; otherwise, you can be frustrated all over again, being unable to hear.

If there are still issues

Troubleshooting the typical hearing aid issues is easy, but if the hearing aids still do not work, you need to book an appointment with your hearing aid specialist. Your hearing aid may still be under warranty, and if so, you can get the right coverage for your repairs from your hearing aid specialist. You don't have to deal with the silence when there are hearing aid specialists out there ready to fix your hearing aids quickly.

Learn more about how Desert Hearing Care can help you keep your hearing aids in optimal shape by calling (480) 374-1846.