Hearing Aid Troubleshooting

When you purchase hearing aids, you expect long-lasting devices that are both easy to use and provide the right level of amplification to help you hear correctly.

Unfortunately, hearing aids are highly technological devices that can occasionally break due to regular use or mistreatment. They can be damaged, they can suffer from electronic faults and they are prone to things like sweat and dirt buildup. Fortunately, it’s simple to troubleshoot many of these problems and you can often get things fixed with ease.

Your audiologist will go through these maintenance tips when you attend your hearing aid fitting, but you may not remember when you need them the most. If your hearing aid is acting up, consider these three troubleshooting steps.

1. Your device won’t turn on

If your hearing aid won’t turn on – don’t panic yet. There are a few different things that could be contributing to this situation and it could be as simple as changing the batteries. First, take the batteries out of your device and put a fresh pair in. Make sure the new batteries are not outdated, have been kept in the right conditions and haven’t had the tabs removed. Hearing aid batteries should be kept in a cool, dry place and can expire, so always check the date on the packaging. If you replace your old batteries and your hearing aids still don’t turn on, check the metal connections to ensure they are free from debris like moisture from sweat or earwax. If you are sure everything is clean and the batteries are working and your device still won’t turn on, visit your audiologist to have your hearing aids evaluated.

2. Feedback in your hearing aids

Feedback cancellation is a standard feature on many modern hearing aids, so there are a number of different reasons why you might be hearing feedback. Firstly, make sure your hearing aid is properly inserted in your ear. The wrong fit can cause feedback to occur because more elements and environmental sounds are reaching the device. If you have volume control, make sure that it’s adjusted properly. Feedback often occurs when the speaker is playing sounds that are being picked up by the microphone in your hearing aid, so loud volumes tend to introduce feedback. Lastly, make sure your device is clean and all ports or tubing are free from earwax. Any clogs can result in distorted sound or feedback.

If these solutions do not work, then you may want to consider speaking to your audiologist because you could have a defective unit that needs to be replaced.

3. Hearing aids not producing sound

A common issue we come across is hearing aids that don’t turn on. This can have several causes and troubleshooting is easy.

First, check if the battery is in correctly and has charge. Flip the battery to ensure it has been installed properly and make sure you’ve purchased the right replacement batteries if you’ve recently had to change them. You may also want to check if the batteries have expired, so considering trying a different battery. Make sure your hearing aids are actually switched on and that the volume slider is turned up so that the speaker is playing sound. Check that the hearing aid is clean and doesn’t have any wax or debris that is causing it to become blocked. Brush away any debris and remember to clean your hearing aids. If your hearing aids were recently dropped, then check for any physical damage on the hearing aids. If there’s damage, you may need to contact your audiologist so they can take a better look at it.

If you still can’t get your hearing aids to start, then it’s worth taking a look at the manual to make sure you’ve not missed anything. You should also consider speaking to your audiologist if you’re still confused and are not entirely sure what the hearing aids aren’t working.

If you’re unsure about your hearing aids or need help troubleshooting some problems, don’t hesitate to contact Salyer Hearing Center at one of our convenient locations:

Sylva: 828-586-7474
Franklin: 828-524-5599
Murphy: 828-835-1014

Whether you have questions or would just like to book an appointment with us to have your hearing aids checked, our team will be more than willing to help you out and take a look at your hearing aids to fix any potential problems.