Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet abruptly disappears? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It kind of stinks.
Technology can be enormously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. When they’re functioning correctly, hearing aids can help you stay connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids quit working. You’ve been disappointed 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 fail, here’s how you can begin to recognize and troubleshoot those problems.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices. Even still, there are some common problems that individuals with hearing aids may experience. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these problems and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Perhaps you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a chat with a friend or family member. Or perhaps you notice a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Whistling and feedback can be caused by these possible problems:
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try to remove them and re-seat them. If the fit isn’t right you may need to come in so we can help you get a better fit.
- For people who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as you can and make certain 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 pretty often. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best way to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t figure them out on your own.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their principal function! Something has definitely gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for new ones.
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make certain that’s not the problem. Then you can cross that of the list of possible issues.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your personalized settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom setting (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of at the kitchen table). This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to make sure the device is nice and clean.
We are here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be able to help you figure that out.
When you have your hearing aids in, you feel pain in your ears
Perhaps your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids on a daily basis if they hurt your ears. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting used to your hearing aids will take a little while. How long will depend on the individual. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic concept of the adjustment period you can expect. If uncomfortable ears persist, speak with us about that too!
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. Naturally, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can sometimes be pain involved in a poor fit. Some hearing aid models can be fit to the distinct shape of your ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems you’ll have with discomfort over the long run. 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 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 figure out the best type of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you handle any extended problems 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!