Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet suddenly cuts out? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch an endless spinning circle. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will just come back on its own? It kind of stinks.
Technology can be enormously aggravating when it doesn’t work properly. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. Most of the time, your hearing aids will give you 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 very frustrating when your hearing aids quit working. The technology you’re counting on has let you down. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So what should you do? Here are the three common ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are sophisticated technology, people might encounter three common issues with them. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
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 family member. Or perhaps you detect a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:
- For those who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Try to examine this tubing as closely as you can and make sure nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. You’ll find this comes up fairly often. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. You can attempt to clean some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some help from us.
- You may not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try removing them and putting them back in. 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 underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main goal of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s their main 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 through? Here are a few things to watch 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 very clean.
- Your settings: Scroll through the custom settings if your device includes them. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a huge space when you’re actually in a small room because the setting isn’t right. The sound you’re hearing may be off as a result.
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make sure that isn’t the problem. This potential issue can then be eliminated..
We are here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
Your ears hurt while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re most likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids every day if they make your ears hurt. So, why do they hurt?
- Time: Usually, it just takes a little while to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the individual. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable idea of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you might be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident issue. After all, most 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 personalized to your specific ears. Over the long haul, you will have fewer problems if you have a snug fit. We will be able to help you achieve the best possible fit from your devices.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you decide on a pair of hearing aids, it’s a good idea to try them out for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Choosing the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any extended problems you may have, are all things we will assist with. We will be your resource for any help you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get with an over-the-counter hearing aid!