Have you ever had your internet disappear right as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Perhaps it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
Technology can be enormously aggravating 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 discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become much more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So how do you cope with that? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can start to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
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 encounter. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Whistling and feedback
Perhaps you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a conversation with a friend or relative. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. You start to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Whistling and feedback can be caused by these possible problems:
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears correctly. Try removing them and putting them back in. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you may find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should speak with us about it).
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax buildup in your ear canal. You’ll notice this comes up fairly regularly. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. You can attempt to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some help from us.
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube may have detached or might be compromised in some way.
If these issues are not easily resolved, it’s worth consulting with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for servicing (depending on what we determine the root cause of that whistling or feedback may be).
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s their main function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’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? Here are some things to look for:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Examine your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. Keep your device really clean.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning on the hearing aid before. Be sure that isn’t the problem. Then you can cross that of the list of potential issues.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a small room because the setting isn’t right. This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, be sure that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
If these steps don’t address your problems, we might have the solution. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
Painful ears when 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 most likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This type of discomfort is not exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids over the long term. So, why do they ache?
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when they fit tightly. Which means that there can sometimes be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be customized to your specific ears. Over the long haul, you will have fewer problems if you have a good fit. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
- Time: Usually, 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 reasonable idea of how long it may take you to become comfortable with your devices. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Avoid 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 drive before you decide. 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 requirements, and helping with any ongoing problems you might have, are all things we will help with. In other words, when your devices stop working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s probably more dependable than your internet company.