Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? You sit there and watch that spinning circle instead of finding out who won that cooking competition. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It sort of stinks.
Technology can be tremendously frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. 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 conversations with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become much more frustrating. The technology you’re counting on has let you down. Why would your hearing aids just quit functioning? So what should you do? Here are the three common 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 people with hearing aids might experience. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to correct them).
Feedback and whistling
So, perhaps you’re attempting to have a chat with your family or watch your favorite television show and you begin to notice a horrific whistling sound. Or perhaps you detect a bit of feedback. You begin to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Here are three possible issues that could be causing this whistling and feedback:
- For individuals who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing that attaches your earmold with your hearing aid may have become compromised. Have a close look to see if the tube might have separated or may be damaged in some way.
- The functionality of your hearing aid can be impacted by earwax accumulation in your ear canal. This is a rather common one. Whistling and feedback are frequently one result of this kind of earwax buildup. You can try to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that doesn’t work out, you can get some assistance from us.
- You might not have your hearing aids seated properly in your ears. Try removing them and putting them back in. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you might 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).
Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
No sound coming from your hearing aids
The main objective of hearing aids is to generate sound. That’s their main function! So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t hear any sound coming from my hearing aid,” well, then something is definitely wrong. So what could be the cause when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Here are some things to look for:
- Your settings: Cycle through the custom settings if your device includes them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are on the wrong custom program (so maybe your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing might be off as a consequence.
- Batteries: Make sure your batteries are completely charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out from time to time.
- Power: Everybody forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Check for this first. This possible issue can then be eliminated..
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Have a close look to see if you come across any earwax on the microphone or speakers. Keep your device very clean.
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, your ears hurt
What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears begin hurting? And you’re probably thinking: why do my ears hurt when I use my hearing aids? You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids every day if they make your ears hurt. So, what could be causing it?
- Time: Getting used to your hearing aids will take a little while. Each person will have a different adjustment period. When you first get your new hearing aids, we can help you get a reasonable concept of the adjustment period you can anticipate. If uncomfortable ears remain, speak with us about that too!
- Fit: The most evident problem can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when they fit tightly. Which means that there can occasionally be discomfort involved in a poor fit. Many hearing aids can be customized to your particular ears. The better the fit, the fewer issues you’ll have with discomfort over the long haul. If you come see us, we can help you get the best fit for your device.
Bypass issues with a little test drive
Before you commit to a pair of hearing aids, it’s a good plan to try them out for a while. In the majority of instances we’ll let you test out a pair of devices before you decide that’s the pair for you.
As a matter of fact, we can help you figure out the best type of hearing aid for your requirements, adjust the fit to match your ears, and help you manage any ongoing problems you might have with your devices. In other words, when your devices stop working, you’ll have a resource that can help!
And that’s probably more dependable than your internet company.