Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix movie when your internet abruptly disappears? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or maybe it will simply come back on its own? It’s not a very good feeling.
When technology breaks down, it can be very frustrating. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. Most of the time, your hearing aids will give you the means to remain connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids quit working. You’ve been let down by the technology you count on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So what can you do? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to diagnose and identify them.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Hearing aids are complex devices. Even still, there are some common problems that individuals with hearing aids may experience. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Feedback and whistling
So, perhaps you’re attempting to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite television show and you start to notice a horrific whistling sound. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. You start to think, “this is weird, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three potential issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- You might not have your hearing aids correctly positioned in your ears. Try removing them and putting them back in. If the fit isn’t right you may need to come see us so we can help you get a better fit.
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube might have detached or may be damaged somehow.
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can undermine how your hearing aid works. You’ll notice this comes up fairly regularly. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this sort of earwax accumulation. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or talk to us about the best method to do that (don’t use a cotton swab).
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these issues if you can’t fix them on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main purpose of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their main function! Something has undoubtedly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Well, there are a few things:
- Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Be sure that isn’t the problem. Then you can eliminate that as possible problems.
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Examine your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive bits. You want to make sure the device is nice and clean.
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are completely charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth swapping them out for fresh ones.
- Your settings: Scroll through the personalized settings if your device includes them. 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 may be off as a result.
We’re here for you if these measures don’t clear your issues up. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
When you have your hearing aids in, you feel pain in your ears
What if your hearing aids are working fine, but whenever you put them in your ears, your ears start hurting? And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears ache when I wear my hearing aids? This kind of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. Naturally, when the fit is nice and snug, your hearing aids will work best. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some discomfort. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the particular shape of your 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: Sometimes, it just takes a little while to get accustomed to your hearing aids. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable idea of how long it might take you to get comfortable with your devices. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Bypass problems with a little test drive
Before you decide on a set of hearing aids, it’s a good plan to test them for a while. In most instances we’ll let you try out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
In fact, we can help you ascertain the best kind of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you handle any ongoing problems you may have with your devices. We will be your resource for any help you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!