Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly cuts out? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending spinning circle. And so you just wait. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It’s not a great feeling.
When technology malfunctions, it can be very frustrating. Your hearing aids definitely fall into this category. Most of the time, your hearing aids will provide you with the means to remain connected to loved ones, have discussions with co-workers, and keep up with your neighbors.
But when they stop working, your hearing loss symptoms can abruptly become a lot more frustrating. You’ve been let down by the technology you depend on. How do hearing aids just quit working? So how do you cope with that? Here are the three common ways your hearing aids can malfunction and how to diagnose and identify them.
Hearing aids can often have three common issues
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices. Even still, there are some common problems that people with hearing aids may experience. Here’s what might be causing those issues (and what you can do to fix them).
Whistling and feedback
Perhaps you suddenly start to hear a terrible high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a conversation with a friend or family member. Or maybe you detect a little bit of feedback. You start to think, “this is strange, what’s up with this whistling”?
Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:
- The tubing that attaches the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Try to inspect this tubing as closely as you can and make sure nothing is loose and the tube doesn’t appear damaged.
- Your hearing aids may not be sitting in your ears correctly. Try to take them out and re-seat them. You can also try reducing the volume (if this works, you may find some short-term relief, but it also likely means that the fit is indeed not quite right and you should consult us about it).
- Earwax accumulation in your ear canal can undermine the way your hearing aid works. You’ll notice this comes up fairly often. That includes causing your hearing aids to whistle or feedback. 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.
Depending on the root cause of the feedback, we can help you resolve these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.
Hearing aids not generating sound
The main purpose 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 explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes through? Here are some things to look for:
- Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Take a close look to see if you come across any earwax on the speakers or microphone. You want to make sure the device is good and clean.
- Power: Look, we’ve all disregarded turning the hearing aids on before. Check for this first. Then you can eliminate that as possible problems.
- Batteries: Be sure your batteries are fully charged. And even rechargeable batteries should be swapped out from time to time.
- Your settings: Cycle through the custom settings if your device has them. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). The sound you’re hearing could be off as a consequence.
We’re here for you if these measures don’t clear up your issues. We’ll be able to help you find out the next steps, and whether maintenance, repair, or replacement is required.
Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids
Maybe your hearing aids are fine functionally but they hurt when you put them in. And you’re most likely wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. This kind of discomfort is not exactly conducive to using your hearing aids over the long term. So, why do they hurt?
- Fit: The most obvious issue can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when the fit is nice and snug. 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 problems you’ll have with discomfort over the long run. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.
- Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get used to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable idea of how long it may take you to get comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears persist, talk to us about that too!
Take your new hearing aid out for a test ride
One of the best ways to prevent possible issues with hearing aids is to take them for a bit of a test run before you decide. In most instances we’ll let you test out a pair of devices before you determine that’s the pair for you.
Choosing the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your needs, and helping with any ongoing problems you might have, are all things we will assist with. We will be your resource for any assistance you need.
And that’s probably more dependable than your internet company.