Have you ever had your internet cut right as you’re getting 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. And so you just wait. Maybe 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 tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. The majority of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to stay connected to loved ones, have conversations 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. The technology you’re counting on has let you down. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to recognize and troubleshoot those issues.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, individuals may experience three common problems with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
So, perhaps you’re trying to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to hear a dreadful whistling noise. Or maybe you detect a bit of feedback. You start 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 use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube may have separated or may be damaged in some way.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a fairly common one. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or talk to us about the best way to do that (don’t use a cotton swab).
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try removing them and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t correct you might need to come in so we can help you get a better fit.
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t figure them out on your own.
Hearing aids not generating sound
Your hearing aids should make, well, sound. That’s what they’re made to do! Something has definitely gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming out of your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Here are some things to look for:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Have a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, be sure that they’re completely charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out on occasion.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. It’s feasible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. This possible problem can then be eliminated..
If these steps don’t address your issues, we may have the solution. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be able to help you figure that out.
Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This type of discomfort is not exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, why do they hurt?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident problem. After all, most hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some pain. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long run. 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. How long will depend on the person. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can expect. If uncomfortable ears remain, talk to us about that as well!
Avoid issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to avoid possible problems with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test drive before you commit. In the majority of instances we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you decide that’s the set for you.
Choosing the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any ongoing problems you might have, are all things we will assist with. In other words, when your devices quit working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s a lot more than you will get with an over-the-counter hearing aid!