Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet abruptly cuts out? Instead of discovering 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 sort of stinks.
Technology can be tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work properly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. When they’re working correctly, hearing aids can help you remain connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just stop working? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three common ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common issues that individuals with hearing aids might encounter. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these problems and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
Maybe you suddenly start to hear a terrible high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a conversation with a friend or family member. Or perhaps you detect a little bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three potential problems that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can undermine how your hearing aid works. This is a rather common one. 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 fails, you can get some help from us.
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears properly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit is indeed not quite right and you should consult us about it).
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or might be damaged somehow.
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve 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! Something has certainly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming out of your hearing aid. So what could be the explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Well, there are a few things:
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. This possible problem can then be eliminated..
- Your settings: Cycle through the personalized settings if your device includes them. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large space when you’re actually in a little room because the setting isn’t right. This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Examine your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. Keep your device very clean.
If these steps don’t help with 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 required.
Painful ears when you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start hurting? And you’re probably wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This sort of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, why do they ache?
- Time: Usually, it just takes a little while to get used to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the individual. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be experiencing.
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. Which means that there can occasionally be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your specific ears. Over the long haul, you will have fewer problems if you have a snug fit. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you decide on a pair of hearing aids, it’s a good plan to try them out for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
As a matter of fact, we can help you ascertain the best type of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you take care of any ongoing problems you may have with your devices. 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 from an over-the-counter hearing aid!