Have you ever had your internet disappear just as you’re getting to the best part of your favorite Netflix movie? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, might be your router, possibly it’s the internet company, or maybe it’ll just fix itself. It’s not a great feeling.
When technology breaks down, it can be very frustrating. 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 a lot more frustrating. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So what should you do? Here are the three prevalent ways your hearing aids can fail and how to troubleshoot and identify them.
Three common issues with hearing aids (and some possible solutions)
Even though hearing aids are sophisticated technology, people may encounter three common issues with them. Let’s have a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.
Feedback and whistling
So, perhaps you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite show and you start to hear a horrific whistling noise. Or maybe you detect a bit of feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:
- You may not have your hearing aids seated properly in your ears. Try taking them out 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 connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to see if the tube may have separated or may be compromised somehow.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. You’ll notice this comes up fairly often. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. If possible, you can try clearing some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best method to do that (don’t use a cotton swab).
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s their principal function! Something has definitely gone wrong if you don’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to lose all sound? Well, there are a few things:
- Power: Look, we’ve all forgotten to turn on the hearing aid before. Check for this first. Then you can cross that of the list of potential issues.
- Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your custom settings. Your hearing aids might think you’re in a very large room when you’re actually in a little room because the setting is wrong. This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make certain that they are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth switching them out for new ones.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Examine your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. You want to be sure the device is good and clean.
We’re here for you if these steps 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, your ears hurt
Perhaps your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when they’re in your ears. And you’re most likely thinking: why do my ears hurt when I wear my hearing aids? This type of discomfort isn’t exactly conducive to wearing your hearing aids over the long term. So, why do they ache?
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the individual. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic idea of the adjustment period you can expect. If uncomfortable ears persist, talk to us about that too!
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most obvious problem. Naturally, when the fit is nice and tight, your hearing aids will work best. Which means that there can occasionally be pain involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be personalized to your specific ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems you’ll have with pain over the long haul. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
Bypass issues with a little test drive
One of the best ways to avoid possible issues with hearing aids is to take them for a bit of a test drive before you decide. In the majority of cases 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 needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage 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!