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. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will just come back on its own? It’s not a very good feeling.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. When they’re working correctly, hearing aids can help you stay connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. Why would your hearing aids just stop functioning? So what can you do? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can fail and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people might experience three common issues with them. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Whistling and feedback
Maybe you suddenly begin to hear a terrible high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a conversation with a friend or family member. Or perhaps you notice some feedback. You begin to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. You’ll find this comes up fairly often. Whistling and feedback are often one outcome of this sort of earwax accumulation. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best way to do that (don’t use a cotton swab).
- The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube might have separated or might be damaged in some way.
- You might not have your hearing aids seated properly in your ears. Try to remove them 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).
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.
Hearing aids not producing sound
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate 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? Well, there are a few things:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. You want to be sure the device is nice and clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your custom settings. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a very large space when you’re actually in a little room because the setting is wrong. This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out once in a while.
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. Then you can eliminate that as possible problems.
If these steps don’t address your problems, we might have the answers. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Your ears hurt when you’re wearing your hearing aids
Perhaps your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when they’re in your ears. And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I use my hearing aids? This kind of discomfort is not exactly conducive to wearing 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. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a realistic idea of how long it might take you to get comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears persist, speak with us about that too!
- Fit: The most obvious problem can be the fit. Needless to say, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your specific ears. Over the long haul, you will have fewer issues if you have a tight 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
One of the best ways to prevent possible problems with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test drive before you decide. In the majority of cases we’ll let you try out a set of devices before you determine that’s the set for you.
Selecting the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any ongoing issues you may have, are all things we will assist with. In other words, when your devices stop working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s most likely more dependable than your internet company.
