Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly disappears? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
When technology breaks down, it can be very aggravating. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. The majority 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 when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become much more frustrating. The technology you’re counting on has failed you. How do hearing aids just stop working? So how do you deal with that? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are sophisticated technology, individuals might encounter three common problems with them. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Feedback and whistling
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite show and you start to hear a horrific whistling noise. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- 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 right you may need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as possible and make sure nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a fairly common one. Whistling and feedback are frequently one result of this sort of earwax accumulation. If possible, you can attempt to clean some earwax out of your ear or talk to 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 deal with these issues if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s what they’re made to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly not right. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a few things:
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. Then you can cross that of the list of potential issues.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make certain that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out on occasion.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your personalized settings. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a little room because the setting isn’t right. The sound you’re hearing might be off as a result.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. You want to be sure the device is nice and clean.
We are here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you identify the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears begin hurting? And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I use my hearing aids? This sort of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, why do they ache?
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable concept of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious issue. After all, the majority of 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. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the particular shape of your ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer problems if you have a good fit. If you come in for a consultation, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to avoid possible issues with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test run before you decide. In the majority of instances we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you determine that’s the set for you.
Selecting the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing issues 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!