Have you ever had your internet cut right as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? Instead of discovering 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 provider, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
Technology can be enormously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. The majority of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with the means to remain connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become really frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. You’ve been disappointed by the technology you depend on. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So what should you do? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can malfunction 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 encounter. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to notice a horrific whistling noise. Or maybe you notice a bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential problems that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- Your hearing aids might not be seated in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should consult us about it).
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid works. You’ll notice this comes up fairly regularly. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this sort of earwax buildup. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best method to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Have a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or might be compromised somehow.
If these problems aren’t easily resolvable, it’s worth speaking with us about correcting the fit or sending your device in for maintenance (depending on what we think the root cause of that whistling or feedback may be).
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their principal function! Something has certainly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Here are a few things to look for:
- Your settings: Cycle through the personalized settings if your device has them. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a small room because the setting isn’t right. This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make certain that they’re fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. You want to make certain the device is good and clean.
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn the hearing aids on before. Be sure that’s not the issue. This possible issue can then be eliminated..
If these steps don’t address your issues, we might have the solution. 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 whenever you put them in your ears, your ears begin to hurt? And you’re probably thinking: why do my ears hurt when I use my hearing aids? This sort of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, why do they hurt?
- 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 discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with discomfort over the long run. We will be able to help you get the best possible fit from your devices.
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get used to your hearing aids. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable idea of the adjustment period you can anticipate. If uncomfortable ears remain, speak with us about that too!
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to test them for a while. In the majority of cases we’ll let you try out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
As a matter of fact, we can help you identify the best type of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any extended 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!