Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? You sit 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 perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It’s not a very good feeling.
When technology malfunctions, it can be very frustrating. Your hearing aids certainly fall into this category. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you remain connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can suddenly become a lot more frustrating. The technology you’re counting on has let you down. How do hearing aids just stop working? So how do you deal with that? Here are the three common ways your hearing aids can fail and how to diagnose and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people might experience three common problems with them. Here’s what could be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Whistling and feedback
So, perhaps you’re trying to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite show and you begin to notice a horrific whistling noise. Or maybe you notice some feedback. And so you think, “Why am I hearing whistling in my hearing aids? This is odd”.
Here are three possible problems that could be causing this feedback and whistling:
- Earwax buildup in your ear canal can compromise how your hearing aid works. You’ll notice this comes up fairly often. Whistling and feedback are frequently one outcome of this type 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.
- For people who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid might have become compromised. Have a close look to identify whether the tube might have separated or might be compromised in some way.
- You may not have your hearing aids correctly positioned 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.
If these problems aren’t easily resolved, it’s worth talking to us about correcting the fit or sending your device in for maintenance (depending on what we think the underlying cause of that whistling or feedback might be).
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main objective of hearing aids is to produce sound. That’s their primary function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely wrong. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Well, there are a few things:
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Make certain that’s not the issue. This possible issue can then be eliminated..
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you find any earwax on the microphone or speakers. Keep your device really clean.
- Your settings: If you have them, flip through your custom settings. It’s possible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a concert hall instead of at the kitchen table). This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out once in a while.
We are here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be capable of helping you figure that out.
Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears begin hurting? And you’re likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids every day if they hurt your ears. So, what could be causing it?
- Fit: The fit of the device is the most evident problem. Needless to say, 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 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 pain over the long run. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes a little while to get used to your hearing aids. How long it takes will depend on the individual. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a realistic concept of the adjustment period you can anticipate. Also, speak with us about any discomfort you might be having.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
Before you decide on a pair of hearing aids, it’s a good idea to try them out for a while. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
As a matter of fact, we can help you figure out the best type of hearing aid for your needs, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any ongoing issues you may have with your devices. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s probably more reliable than your internet company.