Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet abruptly cuts out? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of learning about who won that cooking competition. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will just come back on its own? It’s not a great feeling.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you remain connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become much more frustrating. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you count on. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can fail and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common issues that individuals with hearing aids might experience. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to notice a horrific whistling noise. Or perhaps you notice a little bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three potential problems that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears correctly. Try to remove them and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you might find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should talk to us about it).
- The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as you can and make sure nothing is loose and the tube doesn’t appear damaged.
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid functions. This is a relatively common one. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. You can try to clean some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some help from us.
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main goal of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s what they’re created to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound in my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly wrong. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Here are some things to look for:
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Make certain that isn’t the issue. Then you can eliminate that as potential problems.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make sure that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out from time to time.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Have a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to make sure the device is good and clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your personalized settings. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a small room because the setting is wrong. The sound you’re hearing may be off as a consequence.
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we might have the answers. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be able to help you figure that out.
Your ears hurt while you’re wearing your hearing aids
Maybe your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re most likely wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. This kind of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident issue. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues 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.
- Time: Getting used to your hearing aids will take some time. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a realistic idea of how long it may take you to get comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears persist, speak with us about that too!
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you commit to a pair of hearing aids, it’s a smart idea to test them for a while. 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 ascertain the best type of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any ongoing issues you may 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!