Hearing aids are complex technological devices, and though technology today is light years away from what it was as few as 25 years ago, it isn’t infallible. Like other complex devices, you are likely to experience a glitch with your hearing aids at least once or twice during their lifetime because they are not completely flawless hearing loss solutions.
Maybe your hearing aid won’t turn on, there’s no sound or it’s whistling. Those are just a few common hearing aid issues that you’ll have to sort out. The malfunction could be due to many things – some of them easier to fix than others.
Here are some common hearing aid glitches as well as their possible causes and solutions:
Your hearing aid seems to be dead.
It sounds silly, but in the hustle and bustle of daily life, sometimes people forget to turn their hearing aids on! If that isn’t the case, here are a few more possible issues:
- Your hearing aid needs to be set to the microphone (M) setting.
- The battery might not be inserted correctly
- The battery compartment may not be closed completely.
- Perhaps your battery is dead and needs to be replaced.
- The earmold might be blocked by wax and need to be cleaned.
- The wax filter may need to be cleaned, or the microphone opening may be clogged and need to be cleaned with a brush.
- The tubing may be blocked or bent, so check and replace it if necessary.
If none of these are the case, you should take your hearing aid to be inspected by your audiologist, who can help diagnose the problem.
Sound is distorted
- Your battery might be nearly dead. It seems odd, but sound can be distorted when the battery is too weak.
- The volume on your device might be too high.
- Your hearing aid may be switched to telecoil (T), rather than M
- The battery might be corroded or dirty. You can wipe it with a dry cloth, if necessary.
- The battery contacts in your device may be corroded or need to be wiped clean with a dry cloth.
Sound is quieter than usual
- The hearing aid tubing might be frayed, cracked or have moisture damage. Check to see if it needs to be replaced.
- Your earmold might be blocked with wax. Try cleaning it with a soft cloth.
- The battery level may be too low and battery needs to be replaced.
- The opening of the microphone is possibly blocked. If you are unable to carefully clean it yourself, bring it to your hearing health care professional for assistance.
Your hearing aid is whistling or howling
- Your earmold might be inserted wrong. Try reinserting it to see if the problem goes away.
- The volume might be too high.
- Your battery may need to be replaced.
- The tubing might be too lose or cracked.
- Your earmold might need to be replaced if it does not fit your ear properly.
If your earmold causes discomfort or pain or does not seem to fit properly, visit your audiologist to have it checked and possibly be fitted for a new one.
