Common Hearing Aid Problems and How to Identify Them

side angle of hearing loss patient during a hearing aid fitting appointment

Hearing aids are the most common device used to manage hearing loss. These devices can come in many shapes and sizes to suit the wearer. As many people use hearing aids daily, these incredible instruments are inevitably subject to general wear and tear. Try these handy tips for managing common hearing aid repairs and how to troubleshoot them.

Your Hearing Aid is Producing No Sound

Are you unable to hear from your hearing aid? Two pervasive hearing aid issues include low battery or debris blocking the device. Check your hearing aid for blockages caused by earwax and remove it carefully from the device. Ensure your batteries are fully charged, and if you spot any damage to the device, contact your audiologist for any hearing aid repairs.

Your Hearing Aid Is Whistling or Buzzing

If you hear a whistling or buzzing noise from the device, try checking the following:

  • Your hearing aid is not damaged
  • The device is not sitting in your ear correctly. You may receive feedback due to your hearing aid not sitting in your ear properly
  • Check whether the hearing aid is in the right setting. Turning it off and on again might help reset it
  • Check for earwax or debris in your ear. Blocked microphones can send feedback to the device, leading to feedback

Contact your audiologist for hearing aid repairs if your device is damaged or the problem isn’t resolved.

Your Hearing Aid is Wet

Accidents happen, and you’ll inevitably get your hearing aids wet at some point. Take these steps before contacting your audiologist for hearing aid repairs. First, remove the original battery and dry the hearing aid with a dry cloth or tissue. Leave it to dry for 48 hours to see if the issue is resolved. Once it has dried, insert a new battery and see if the hearing aid issue is resolved.

Your Hearing Aid Doesn’t Fit Properly

Does your hearing aid no longer fit like it used to? Inspect the surface for cracks or damage, which might alter how the device fits on your ear. Check that you’ve had your tubing replaced in the last six months. If you’ve recently replaced the tubing yourself, you might have cut it too short, and it may have displaced its placement in your ear.

Your Hearing Aid Produces Quiet or Very Distorted Sound

If your hearing aid sounds funny or distorted, there may be moisture in the device. Follow the steps for when your hearing aid is wet to see if this resolves the issue. If the sounds are still strange, ensure the tubing has been replaced in the last half a year. If your hearing aid still isn’t producing the sound required, contact your audiologist immediately.

Standard hearing aid problems can be resolved by taking simple steps like turning your device on or off and replacing the battery. You should also give wet devices time to dry and take out the battery. If you spot cracked or damaged hearing aids, ensure you contact your audiologist today for repairs.