Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? 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 perhaps it will just come back on its own? It’s not a great feeling.
When technology malfunctions, it can be really aggravating. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. 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)
Even though hearing aids are sophisticated technology, people might experience three common issues with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Maybe you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a conversation with a friend or family member. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible issues:
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. You’ll find this comes up fairly often. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. If possible, you can attempt to clean some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best way to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- Your hearing aids might not be sitting in your ears properly. Try taking them out and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t right you may need to come in so we can help you get a better fit.
- For individuals who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to examine this tubing as closely as you can and make sure nothing is loose and the tube doesn’t appear damaged.
If these issues are not easily resolved, it’s worth consulting with us about correcting the fit or sending your device in for maintenance (depending on what we determine the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
No sound coming from your hearing aids
Your hearing aids should make, well, sound. That’s their primary function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely wrong. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Examine your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. Keep your device really clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a huge space when you’re actually in a little room because the setting is wrong. This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- 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: Make sure your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
We are here for you if these measures don’t clear your issues up. We’ll be able to help you identify the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears ache when I wear my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids on a daily basis if they hurt your ears. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting accustomed to your hearing aids will take a little while. How long it takes will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a realistic concept of how long it might take you to become comfortable with your devices. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident 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. Some hearing aid models can be fit to the distinct shape of your ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long run. We will be able to help you achieve the best possible fit from your devices.
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 for a bit of a test drive before you decide. In most cases we’ll let you test out a set of devices before you decide 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!
