Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? Instead of finding out 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. Perhaps it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
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 conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? 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 encounter. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Maybe you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a chat with a friend or relative. Or maybe you detect a bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try taking them out and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t correct you might need to come in so we can help you get a better fit.
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Take a close look to see if the tube might have detached or may be compromised somehow.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax buildup in your ear canal. You’ll notice this comes up pretty often. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. If possible, you can attempt to clean some earwax out of your ear or talk to us about the best way to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t figure them out on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s their principal function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly wrong. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. Keep your device very clean.
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out once in a while.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. This potential problem can then be eliminated..
- Your settings: Scroll through the personalized settings if your device has them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of at the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing may be off as a result.
We’re here for you if these measures don’t clear your issues up. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Your ears hurt while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This sort of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The most evident problem can be the fit. After all, most hearing aids work best when they fit tightly. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the particular shape of your ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long run. If you come in for a consultation, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the person. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable concept of the adjustment period you can anticipate. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you decide on a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to try them out for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Selecting the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing issues you might have, are all things we will help with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!