Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet abruptly disappears? Instead of finding out who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending spinning circle. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will just come back on its own? It’s not a great feeling.
When technology breaks down, it can be really frustrating. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. When they’re functioning correctly, hearing aids can help you remain connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they talk to you.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become very frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. Why would your hearing aids just stop functioning? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common issues that people with hearing aids might experience. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Whistling and feedback
Perhaps you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a conversation with a friend or relative. Or maybe you notice some feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible issues:
- Your hearing aids may not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try removing them and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t correct you might need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax buildup in your ear canal. This is a rather common one. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. You can try to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some help from us.
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or may be compromised somehow.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these problems if you can’t figure them out on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s what they’re created 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: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn the hearing aids on before. Check for this first. This possible issue can then be eliminated..
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your personalized settings. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large space when you’re actually in a small room because the setting is wrong. The sound you’re hearing may be off as a consequence.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, be sure that they are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the speakers or microphone. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we may have the answers. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Painful ears when you’re wearing your hearing aids
Maybe your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids on a daily basis if they hurt your ears. So, why do they hurt?
- Time: Usually, it just takes a little while to get used to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a reasonable concept of how long it may take you to get comfortable with your devices. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. Needless to say, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some discomfort. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the specific shape of your ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with discomfort over the long haul. We will be able to help you achieve the best possible fit from your devices.
Bypass problems with a little test drive
Before you decide on a pair of hearing aids, it’s a smart idea to test them for a while. In most instances we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
Selecting the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any extended issues you may have, are all things we will help with. In other words, when your devices stop 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!