Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? Instead of finding out who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending spinning circle. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will simply come back on its own? It kind of stinks.
Technology can be enormously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. The same is certainly true of your hearing aids. The majority of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to remain connected to loved ones, have conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they quit working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become much more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. How do hearing aids just stop working? So what can you do? Well, there are three prevalent ways that hearing aids can fail, here’s how you can begin to identify and troubleshoot those problems.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids might experience. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Feedback and whistling
So, maybe you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to notice a dreadful whistling noise. Or perhaps you notice a little bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Whistling and feedback can be caused by these possible issues:
- Your hearing aids may not be sitting in your ears properly. Try removing them and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t correct you might need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax buildup in your ear canal. This is a relatively common one. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. You can try to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some help from us.
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can occasionally become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as you can and make certain nothing is loose and the tube does not appear damaged.
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these issues if you can’t figure them out on your own.
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main purpose of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s their primary function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound in my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely not right. So what could be the explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Well, there are a few things:
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are completely charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be switched out from time to time.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning on the hearing aid before. Be sure that’s not the issue. Then you can eliminate that as potential issues.
- Your settings: Cycle through the custom settings if your device includes them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom setting (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of around the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing might be off as a consequence.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Examine your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. Keep your device very clean.
We’re here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you determine 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 probably wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. This kind of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids over the long term. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The most evident issue can be the fit. Needless to say, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be tailored 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 get the best possible fit from your devices.
- Time: Usually, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable idea of how long it may take you to become comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears continue, speak with us about that as well!
Avoid issues with a little test drive
Before you commit to a set of hearing aids, it’s a smart plan to try them out for a while. In most cases we’ll let you test out a pair of devices before you determine that’s the set for you.
Choosing the right 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 quit working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!