Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet abruptly cuts out? You sit and watch that spinning circle instead of learning about who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Maybe it’s your modem, could be your router, possibly it’s the internet provider, or possibly it’ll just fix itself. It sort of stinks.
Technology can be enormously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. Most of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with the means to stay connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become very frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. The technology you’re depending on has failed you. How do hearing aids just stop working? So what should 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)
Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people may 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, maybe you’re trying to have a conversation with your family or watch your favorite show and you start to notice a horrific whistling sound. Or perhaps you hear some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can compromise the way your hearing aid works. You’ll find this comes up fairly often. That includes making your hearing aid whistle or feedback. If possible, you can attempt to clean some earwax out of your ear or consult with us about the best method to do that (do not use a cotton swab).
- Your hearing aids may not be seated in your ears properly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you may find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit is indeed not quite right and you should talk to us about it).
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube may have detached or might be damaged in some way.
If these problems aren’t easily resolvable, 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 may be).
Hearing aids not generating sound
Your hearing aids should make, well, sound. That’s what they’re created to do! Something has undoubtedly gone wrong if you don’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could cause hearing aids to drop all sound? Well, there are a couple of things:
- Batteries: If you have rechargeable batteries, make sure that they are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it might be worth swapping them out for new ones.
- Earwax buildup: Here we go again with the earwax! Inspect your device for indications of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. Keep your device very clean.
- Your settings: Scroll through the personalized settings if your device has them. It’s possible your hearing devices are not on the right custom setting (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of at the kitchen table). This balance could throw off the sound you’re hearing.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Make certain that’s not the issue. Then you can cross that of the list of potential problems.
If these steps don’t correct your issues, we might have the solution. We’ll be able to help you determine the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed.
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 to hurt? And you’re most likely wondering why your hearing aids would hurt your ears. This type of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids on a day-to-day basis. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting accustomed to your hearing aids will take some time. Each individual will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable idea of the adjustment period you can anticipate. Also, talk to us about any discomfort you may be having.
- 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. Which means that there can occasionally be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Some hearing aid models can be fit to the distinct shape of your ears. The better the fit, the fewer problems 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.
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to avoid possible issues with hearing aids is to take them out for a bit of a test drive before you commit. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.
Selecting the right hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing issues you may have, are all things we will assist with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s a lot more than you will get from an over-the-counter hearing aid!