How to Troubleshoot the Most Common Hearing Aid Repairs

Anyone that relies on hearing aids will know how important it is to quickly identify and troubleshoot problems whenever issues crop up with their devices. There are four main issues that tend to occur with hearing aids which are:

• No sounds are being produced
• Sounds are too quiet
• Sound is distorted
• Whistling and feedback noises are occurring

The troubleshooting tips below can resolve these issues in many cases.

Check Microphone Openings and Sound Ports

If sound is muted, muffled or distorted, it could be as simple as something being lodged in the microphone opening or sound port. Wax, dirt and other kinds of debris can block the sound outlet and either completely eliminate any sounds or cause it to sound quieter. Proper tools can make it quick and easy to keep hearing aids clean and clear. A wax pick is useful for removing any buildup from small crevices, regularly cleaning and maintaining hearing aids can prevent this kind of accumulated debris. A simple check but one not to overlook is to make sure that the volume is turned up. If there’s no sound or it’s very quiet, it could just be a case of the volume needing to be increased.

Check for Damage

Hearing aids that have been crushed, left in extreme temperatures, become over wet or experienced any other kind of damage will likely need to be repaired or replaced. It might not always be obvious, but if hearing aids aren’t working correctly then a visual inspection might give a clue about what the issue might be and whether it can be troubleshooted at home or if it will need hearing aid repairs by an audiologist.

Look at the Batteries

If one or both of your hearing aids is completely dead or the sound is distorted, consider the following checks in regard to hearing aid batteries:

• Make sure they’re fitted correctly and haven’t been inserted upside down.
• Check the voltage of batteries using a battery tester.
• Check that the device is fully charged.

Consider the Fit

The fit of hearing aids is important; losing weight is one reason that a hearing aid may no longer sit correctly. In some cases, hearing aids or molds may need to be remade. Sometimes whistling hearing aids can be rectified simply by removing and putting them back in, ensuring that they’re inserted correctly.

Make Sure the Issue Isn’t with the Wearer’s Ears

The problem may not be the hearing aids at all, but with the wearer’s ears themselves. If you suspect the individual’s ear canals may be blocked with earwax, advise them to see their audiologist for an examination. Issues with the ears could be causing hearing aid feedback as the wearer will be turning up the volume higher than normal to hear through the earwax, leaking out more sound than usual. Alternatively, sounds can bounce off any blockage in the ear canal and leak back out.