Have you ever had your internet disappear right 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. Maybe it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It’s not a great feeling.
Technology can be tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work properly. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you stay 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 really frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. Why would your hearing aids just quit functioning? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three common ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to diagnose and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people might encounter three common problems with them. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
Maybe you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re trying to have a chat with a friend or family member. Or maybe you notice some feedback. You begin to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible issues:
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid functions. This is a fairly common one. 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 (don’t use a cotton swab).
- For people who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that connects your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Try to examine this tubing as closely as you can and make certain nothing is loose and the tube doesn’t appear damaged.
- Your hearing aids might not be seated in your ears properly. Try taking them out and putting them back in. 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 isn’t quite right and you should consult us about it).
If these issues aren’t easily resolved, it’s worth consulting with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for servicing (depending on what we think the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
Hearing aids not producing sound
Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s what they’re created to do! Something has undoubtedly gone wrong if you don’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 couple of things:
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are not on the right custom program (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of at the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing may be off as a consequence.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Take a close look to see if you discover any earwax on the microphone or speakers. Keep your device really clean.
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are completely charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. This potential problem can then be eliminated..
If these steps don’t help with your problems, we might have the answers. We’ll be able to help you determine the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears begin aching? And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I wear my hearing aids? This sort of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids over the long term. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. 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. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be experiencing.
- Fit: The most evident 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 sometimes be pain involved in a poor fit. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the specific shape of your 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.
Bypass issues with a little test drive
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to test them for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Choosing 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. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s probably more reliable than your internet company.