Have you ever had your internet cut right as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? You sit 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 provider, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
Technology can be tremendously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. When they’re functioning properly, 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 abruptly become much more frustrating. The technology you’re counting on has failed you. How do hearing aids just stop working? So how do you cope with that? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can malfunction 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 problems with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
So, maybe you’re trying to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to hear a dreadful whistling noise. Or maybe you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Here are three potential problems that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Try to examine this tubing as closely as possible and make certain nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should consult us about it).
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can compromise how your hearing aid works. This is a rather common one. Whistling and feedback are often one result of this type of earwax buildup. 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).
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.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s what they’re created to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound in my hearing aid,” well, then something is certainly wrong. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Here are some things to look for:
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make certain that’s not the issue. This possible problem can then be eliminated..
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to make certain the device is nice and clean.
- Your settings: Cycle through the custom settings if your device includes them. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a small room because the setting isn’t right. This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
If these steps don’t address your problems, we may have the answers. We’ll be able to help you determine the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
When you have your hearing aids in, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, 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 use my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to use your hearing aids every day if they hurt your ears. So, why do they hurt?
- Fit: The most obvious issue can be the fit. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some discomfort. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the particular shape of your ears. Over the long run, you will have fewer issues if you have a snug fit. If you come in for a consultation, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get used to your hearing aids. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a reasonable idea of how long it may take you to get comfortable with your devices. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you might be experiencing.
Avoid issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to prevent possible problems with hearing aids is to take them for a bit of a test drive before you commit. 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 issues you may 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.