Have you ever had your internet disappear right as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix show? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Perhaps it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
When technology malfunctions, it can be really frustrating. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. When they’re functioning properly, hearing aids can help you remain 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 abruptly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just stop working? So what can you do? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to recognize and troubleshoot those problems.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are sophisticated technology, people might encounter three common problems with them. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Perhaps you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a chat with a friend or relative. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- Your hearing aids might not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try taking them out and putting them back in. You can also try reducing the volume (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 speak with us about it).
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a relatively common one. Whistling and feedback are often one outcome of this sort of earwax buildup. You can attempt to clean some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some assistance from us.
- For people who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube might have separated or may be damaged somehow.
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
Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s what they’re made to do! Something has undoubtedly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming out of your hearing aid. So what could be the explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Here are some things to watch for:
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn the hearing aids on before. Make sure that’s not the problem. Then you can cross that of the list of possible issues.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Take a close look to see if you discover any earwax on the speakers or microphone. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, be sure that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out once in a while.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing might be off as a result.
We are 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
Perhaps your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when they’re in your ears. And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This type of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident issue. After all, most hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some discomfort. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the distinct shape of your ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer problems if you have a good fit. 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 used to your hearing aids. Each person will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a realistic concept of how long it may take you to become comfortable with your devices. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be experiencing.
Bypass issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to avoid 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.
As a matter of fact, we can help you identify the best kind of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any extended problems you may have with your devices. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s most likely more dependable than your internet company.