Have you ever had your internet disappear just 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. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
Technology can be tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. Most 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 quit working. The technology you’re depending on has let you down. How do hearing aids just quit working? So what should you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can start 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 encounter three common problems with them. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these problems and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
So, maybe you’re trying to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite show and you start to hear a dreadful whistling sound. Or perhaps you notice some feedback. You start to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- Your hearing aids may not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. If the fit isn’t right you may 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. You’ll notice this comes up fairly regularly. Whistling and feedback are often one outcome of this type 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).
- For individuals who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that connects 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.
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with 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! Something has undoubtedly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Here are a few things to look for:
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make sure that’s not the problem. Then you can eliminate that as possible issues.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. Keep your device very clean.
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are completely charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth swapping them out for fresh ones.
- Your settings: Scroll through the personalized settings if your device has them. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a huge space when you’re actually in a little room because the setting isn’t right. The sound you’re hearing may be off as a result.
We are here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Your ears hurt 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 hurting? And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears ache when I wear my hearing aids? This sort of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, why do they hurt?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting quite right, there can be some pain. Many hearing aids can be customized to your specific 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.
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. Each person will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable concept of how long it might take you to get comfortable with your devices. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to avoid possible problems with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test run before you decide. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Choosing the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any extended issues you may have, are all things we will help 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!