How to Fix Typical Problems Associated with Hearing Aids

​Millions of people wear tiny, custom-made, digitally programmed hearing aids while going about their daily routines. If you depend on hearing aids, it is important to promptly recognize and correct any issues that may arise.

4 Frequent issues with Hearing Aids

1. The hearing aids are not making any sounds (my hearing aids are “dead”).
2. The hearing aids are not loud enough.
3. The hearing aids sound “funny” or the sounds are distorted.
4. The hearing aids are making a whistling noise, or producing feedback.

If you cannot repair these issues yourself, you should take them to a hearing instrument specialist to get them checked out.

6 Tips for what to do if Your Hearing Aids are not Producing any Sound

1. Look and verify that your hearing aid is turned on. The battery door needs to be closed so that the hearing aid can be turned on. If the battery door doesn't close easily, the battery is probably upside down. Remove the battery, flip it and insert it back into the hearing aid. If it is properly placed in the aid, the door will easily close.
2. Examine the hearing aid to see if there is any earwax obstructing the microphone or sound outlet. Carefully wipe off any debris with a cloth or a cleaning brush.
3. Turn the volume up by using your remote control, or adjust it directly on the hearing aids. If you have a manual volume control wheel, finely tune the wheel up and down a few times to assure that it’s on all the way.
4. Dial between programs or memories. If there is a button that can adjust settings, push it and then listen for a few minutes to hear if that makes a difference.
5. Change the battery. If you own a hearing aid battery tester, check the old battery’s voltage to verify that it is dead before removing the sticker on new battery. Removing the sticker on a new hearing aid battery, immediately activates the battery.
6. Recognize that the hearing aid could be damaged. If that is the case, get in touch with one of our hearing instrument specialists to get your hearing aid repaired.

4 Things to Consider if Your Hearing Aids aren’t Loud Enough

1. Inspect your hearing aids. Do you see earwax obstructing the microphone or sound opening?  If you wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids with earmolds and tubing, examine the tubing for blockages, cracks, or droplets of moisture. Contact one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing Aids if you need help to change the tubing.
2. Turn the volume up using your remote control or directly on the hearing device. If your hearing aids have a manual volume control wheel, adjust the wheel up and down a few times to hear if the volume is changing.
3. Try using another program or memory. It’s possible that you unintentionally switched to a different program that is set differently than your regular program.
4. Maybe your hearing abilities have changed. If you have not had a hearing test for a while, make an appointment for a hearing test and our hearing instrument specialist will tailor your hearing aids to adapt to any changes to your hearing abilities.     

4 Tips on What to do if Your Hearing Aids sound Strange or Distorted
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1. Inspect your hearing aids. Check to see if they are corroded. If they are, change them.
2. Examine the battery contacts. These are the small metal prongs that attach to the battery after the door is closed. Check to see if they are corroded. If they are, open and close the battery slot several times in order to clean the contacts. Replace the battery and listen to whether there is improvement in the quality of sound. Your hearing instrument specialist can also clean the battery contacts for you. If the small metal prongs come in contact with the battery, there should be scratches on the external part of a used battery.     
3. Try to use a different program or memory. It is possible that you could have unintentionally switched to a wireless setting that was intended to be used with an assistive listening device.
4. Check if the hearing aids are damaged. If they are, contact your hearing instrument specialist and schedule and appointment for a hearing aid repair.

4 Tips on What to do if Your Hearing Aids make a Whistling Sound or Create Feedback Noise

1. If your hearing aids create a whistling noise while inserted in your ears, take them out and then re-insert them. The hearing aids may not be properly placed in the ears.
2. Lower the volume. If the hearing aids are inserted correctly and they cease to whistle after turning the volume lower, there might be an excessive amount of sound leaking through the vent or around the earmold. If this is the case, you should see a hearing instrument specialist so that he or she can adjust the fit of the hearing aid.
3. If you believe earwax is obstructing your ear canals, see a hearing care professional to get your ears thoroughly cleaned. Earwax clogging your ears may be causing the feedback noises in two ways:

 

• You may turn the volume up higher than normal in order to allow you to hear through the impacted ear wax, so more sound would leak out than usual.

• Sound can ricochet off of any obstruction in your ear canal and leak out.

If you recently lost a large amount of weight, this may affect the way your hearing aids fit. Your hearing instrument specialist can adjust the hearing aids and determine whether they can repair this issue in their office, or if you need to have your hearing aids or earmold remade.    

If you have tried these suggestions and your hearing aids still do not work for you, please make an appointment at Pure Sound Hearing Aids with one of our hearing instrument specialists.

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