Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet abruptly disappears? Instead of finding out who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending spinning circle. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will just come back on its own? It sort of stinks.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work properly. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you remain 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 let down by the technology you count on. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So how do you cope with that? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can start to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, individuals might encounter three common issues with them. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Feedback and whistling
So, perhaps you’re trying to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to notice a dreadful whistling noise. Or perhaps you detect a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can compromise how your hearing aid functions. You’ll notice this comes up fairly often. That includes causing your hearing aids to 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 assistance from us.
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try taking them out and putting them back in. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should speak with us about it).
- The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube may have separated or might be compromised somehow.
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.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s their principal function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound in my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly not right. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Examine your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. You want to make sure the device is nice and clean.
- Your settings: Cycle through the personalized settings if your device has them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of at the kitchen table). This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make certain that’s not the issue. Then you can cross that of the list of possible problems.
- 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.
If these steps don’t address your issues, we may have the solution. 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
Maybe your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears ache when I wear my hearing aids? This type of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting accustomed to your hearing aids will take some time. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable idea of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you may be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident 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 tailored to your specific 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 issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to avoid possible problems with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test drive before you commit. In the majority of instances we’ll let you test out a pair of devices before you determine that’s the pair for you.
As a matter of fact, we can help you determine the best type of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you handle any ongoing issues you may have with your devices. In other words, when your devices quit 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!
