Have you ever had your internet cut 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. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will simply come back on its own? It’s not a very good feeling.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. The majority of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with the means to remain connected to loved ones, have conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become much more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just stop working? So what can you do? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can start to recognize and troubleshoot those problems.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, individuals might experience three common problems with them. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these problems and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to notice a dreadful whistling noise. Or perhaps you notice a bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid functions. You’ll find this comes up fairly regularly. Whistling and feedback are often one result of this sort of earwax buildup. You can attempt to clean some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some assistance from us.
- Your hearing aids may 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 is indeed not 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. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as possible and make sure nothing is loose and the tube does not 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 servicing (depending on what we think the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback may be).
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their primary 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 cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Here are several things to look for:
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn the hearing aids on before. Check for this first. Then you can eliminate that as potential issues.
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for new ones.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your personalized settings. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom setting (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of at the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing might be off as a result.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. You want to make sure the device is nice and clean.
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we might have the answers. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
Painful ears 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 likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This kind of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, why do they hurt?
- Time: Getting used to your hearing aids will take a little while. Each person will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a realistic concept of how long it might take you to get comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears remain, talk to us about that too!
- Fit: The most obvious problem can be the fit. Naturally, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can sometimes be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored to your specific ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer issues if you have a tight fit. We will be able to help you get the best possible fit from your devices.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to prevent possible issues 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.
Selecting the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any extended issues you might have, are all things we will assist with. We will be your resource for any help you need.
And that’s most likely more reliable than your internet company.