Have you ever had your internet cut just as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix show? Instead of finding out who won the baking show, you have to watch an endless spinning circle. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
Technology can be enormously aggravating when it doesn’t work properly. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. Most of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to stay connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become really frustrating when your hearing aids quit working. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids may encounter. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Whistling and feedback
So, perhaps you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to notice a horrific whistling sound. Or maybe you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- For individuals who use behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that connects your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Take a close look to see if the tube may have detached or might be compromised somehow.
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears correctly. Try to remove them and re-seat them. If the fit isn’t correct you may need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can compromise the way your hearing aid functions. You’ll notice this comes up pretty regularly. Whistling and feedback are often one outcome of this type of earwax buildup. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or talk to us about the best way to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
If these problems aren’t easily resolvable, it’s worth consulting with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for servicing (depending on what we determine the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback may be).
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main goal of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s what they’re created to do! Something has certainly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Here are several things to look for:
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the speakers or microphone. You want to be sure the device is nice and clean.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make sure that they’re fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out on occasion.
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn the hearing aids on before. Make sure that isn’t the issue. This potential problem can then be eliminated..
- 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 small room because the setting isn’t right. The sound you’re hearing may be off as a consequence.
We’re here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
When you have your hearing aids in, you feel pain in your ears
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I wear my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids on a daily basis if they make your ears hurt. So, why do they hurt?
- Fit: The most obvious issue can be the fit. After all, most hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. Which means that there can sometimes be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long run. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes a little while to get used to your hearing aids. Each person will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic concept of the adjustment period you can expect. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Bypass problems 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.
Selecting the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any extended problems you might have, are all things we will help with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s most likely more dependable than your internet company.
