Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly disappears? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It’s not a very good feeling.
When technology breaks down, it can be very frustrating. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. Most 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 quit working. The technology you’re counting on has failed you. 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 begin to identify and troubleshoot those problems.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common problems that individuals with hearing aids may experience. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Maybe you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a chat with a friend or relative. Or perhaps you notice a bit of feedback. You begin to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- For people who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that connects your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to examine this tubing as closely as you can and make certain nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a rather common one. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best way to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- Your hearing aids might not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. If the fit isn’t right you may need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these problems if you can’t figure them out on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
Your hearing aids should make, well, sound. That’s their primary function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely wrong. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Here are several things to look for:
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. This potential issue can then be eliminated..
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of around the kitchen table). This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for new ones.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. Keep your device very clean.
We’re here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Painful ears when you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears start hurting? 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, why do they ache?
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the individual. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a realistic concept of how long it may take you to become comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears persist, talk to us about that as well!
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can sometimes be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems you’ll have with discomfort over the long haul. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart idea to try them out for a while. In the majority of cases we’ll let you try out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the set for you.
In fact, we can help you ascertain the best kind of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you handle any ongoing issues you might have with your devices. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get with an over-the-counter hearing aid!