Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending 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’s not a very good feeling.
Technology can be enormously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. Most of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with 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. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So how do you cope with that? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can begin to identify and troubleshoot those problems.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, individuals might experience three common issues with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these problems and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
Maybe you suddenly begin to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a chat with a friend or relative. Or perhaps you notice 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:
- For those who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube may have separated or may be damaged somehow.
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid functions. This is a fairly common one. Whistling and feedback are often one result of this kind of earwax accumulation. You can attempt to clean some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some assistance from us.
- You may not have your hearing aids seated properly in your ears. Try taking them out and putting them back in. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you may find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should talk to us about it).
If these issues aren’t easily resolvable, it’s worth speaking with us about adjusting the fit or sending your device in for maintenance (depending on what we determine the root cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main goal of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s what they’re made to do! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely not right. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Your settings: Cycle through the custom settings if your device has them. Your hearing aids may think you’re in a huge space when you’re actually in a little room because the setting is wrong. The sound you’re hearing might be off as a result.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Be sure that’s not the problem. Then you can eliminate that as possible problems.
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are completely charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out from time to time.
- 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.
If these steps don’t correct your problems, we might have the solution. 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, your ears hurt
Maybe your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when they’re in your ears. And you’re likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I wear my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids every day if they hurt your ears. So, why do they ache?
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes a little while to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the person. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable concept of the adjustment period you can anticipate. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you may be experiencing.
- Fit: The most obvious problem 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 quite right, there can be some pain. Many hearing aids can be customized to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with discomfort over the long haul. We will be able to help you achieve the best possible fit from your devices.
Avoid issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to prevent possible problems with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test drive before you commit. In most cases we’ll let you test out a set of devices before you determine that’s the pair for you.
Choosing the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing issues you might have, are all things we will assist with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s most likely more dependable than your internet company.