Have you ever had your internet cut right as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix show? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of learning about who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Perhaps it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It’s not a very good feeling.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work properly. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you stay connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become a lot more frustrating. The technology you’re depending on has let you down. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can fail and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, individuals may encounter three common problems with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
So, perhaps you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to hear a dreadful whistling noise. Or perhaps you notice a little bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:
- The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or might be compromised in some way.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax buildup 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 method to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- Your hearing aids might not be seated in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (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 talk to us about it).
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their main function! Something has certainly gone wrong if you don’t hear any sound coming out of your hearing aid. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. Then you can cross that of the list of possible issues.
- 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.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you discover any earwax on the microphone or speakers. Keep your device very clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom setting (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
If these steps don’t help with your issues, we might have the solution. We’ll be able to help you determine the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
Your ears hurt when you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I wear my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids every day if they make your ears hurt. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious issue. Needless to say, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems you’ll have with pain over the long haul. We will be able to help you get the best possible fit from your devices.
- Time: Getting accustomed to your hearing aids will take a little while. 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 anticipate. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you might be having.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a good idea to test them for a while. In the majority of instances we’ll let you try out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
In fact, we can help you determine the best kind of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you handle any ongoing issues you may have with your devices. 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!