Have you ever had your internet cut just as you’re almost to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? Instead of finding out who won the baking show, you have to watch an endless spinning circle. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It kind of stinks.
Technology can be enormously aggravating when it doesn’t work properly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. The majority 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 very frustrating when your hearing aids quit working. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. Why would your hearing aids just stop working? So what can you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can start to identify and troubleshoot those issues.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people might experience three common problems with them. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Whistling and feedback
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to hear a horrific whistling sound. Or maybe you notice a little bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Whistling and feedback can be caused by these possible problems:
- Your hearing aids may not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you might find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should consult us about it).
- For individuals who wear 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 separated or may be damaged in some way.
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can compromise how your hearing aid functions. This is a relatively common one. Whistling and feedback are frequently one result of this type of earwax accumulation. If possible, you can attempt to clean some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best method to do that (don’t use a cotton swab).
If these problems aren’t easily resolved, it’s worth consulting with us about correcting the fit or sending your device in for maintenance (depending on what we think the root cause of that whistling or feedback may be).
Hearing aids not generating sound
Your hearing aids should make, well, sound. That’s what they’re made 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? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a huge room when you’re actually in a little room because the setting isn’t right. The sound you’re hearing might be off as a result.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. This possible problem can then be eliminated..
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Have a close look to see if you discover any earwax on the microphone or speakers. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make sure that they are completely charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth switching them out for fresh ones.
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we may 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
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start aching? And you’re 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 hurt your ears. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident problem. 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 customized to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with pain over the long haul. If you come in for a consultation, 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. How long it takes will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you buy your hearing aids so you have a reasonable idea of how long it might take you to get comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears remain, talk to us about that too!
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to avoid possible issues with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test run before you decide. In the majority of cases we’ll let you try out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
Choosing the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing issues you may have, are all things we will help with. In other words, when your devices stop working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s most likely more reliable than your internet company.