Hearing Aid Repair

Today’s hearing aids are marvels of technology, with miniaturized computers that perform thousands of complex operations per second. These sophisticated electronics spend most of their time in and around our ears, where they are routinely exposed to earwax, moisture, and debris from the air.

Hearing aids have seen major advancements in recent years in terms of water and dirt resistance. While it’s still important to keep your hearing aids as clean and dry as possible, most hearing aids today can withstand a splash or two of water without any trouble. One major advancement in water resistance has been the rechargeable battery. On rechargeable hearing aids, there is no battery door to let moisture and debris into the sensitive electronics inside the plastic shell. This adds a level of protection that can help avoid the need for repairs.

Even with the current state of the art, most hearing aids will require repair from time to time. Regular cleaning, care and attention can minimize the necessity of repairs, but some repairs are inevitable.

How Do I Know If My Hearing Aids Need Repair?

Before you bring your hearing aids in for repair, it may be helpful to follow these troubleshooting steps to make sure there is really something wrong with them:
Make sure the hearing aid is turned on - This seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget; especially if you’re new to wearing hearing aids.
Check the volume level - Make sure the volume is set to an appropriate level. Sometimes this can get changed accidentally. If you set the volume to the normal level and your hearing aids still sound quiet or distorted, they probably require repair.
Make sure the batteries are good - If your batteries are disposable, make sure they are inserted properly. Check to make sure they’re not dead, or try a fresh set. If your hearing aids are going through batteries faster than usual, or if your rechargeable hearing aids are not lasting through the day, this can indicate that a repair is necessary.
Check the tubes on BTE hearing aids - The tubes that carry the sound from BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids to your ears do not last forever. They may become blocked or broken down. This is an easy repair that we can make in the office.
Do a visual inspection - If the plastic body of your hearing aid is cracked or if there are other signs of damage, a repair should be made. You may be tempted to use hearing aids that still function, even if the body is damaged, but this will expose them to further damage that could create a more costly or difficult repair down the line.

If you think your hearing aids are in need of repair, give us a call or just bring them into the office.

We can perform many repairs in-house, though in some cases it may be necessary to send your hearing aids back to the manufacturer. If your hearing aids are under warranty, there will be no fee for repair. If your hearing aids are no longer under warranty, we will go over your options with you to make sure that repair is the best choice.

Sometimes, excessive feedback can be the result of an ill-fitting earmold. Ear shapes change over time, especially if your body weight has changed drastically since your fitting. It may be that a new earmold can reduce or eliminate feedback.

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Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean and Dry

A major reason that hearing aids malfunction is a buildup of earwax and other debris. This buildup is also harder on your hearing aids, and if left unattended could end up causing damage that requires repair.

You should clean your hearing aids every day in order to keep them working their best. Simply wipe them with a clean, dry cloth. Periodically, a professional cleaning is advised to remove material that has worked its way deeper into the openings in your hearing aids.

Moisture is the #1 reason that hearing aids end up needing repair. Even if you don’t expose your hearing aids directly to water, moisture builds up inside over the course of normal use. It’s important to give your hearing aids the opportunity to dry out each night. Rechargeable hearing aids are allowed to air out in their charging ports, while hearing aids that use disposable batteries should be left in the open air with the battery doors open.

Keep your hearing aids out of the bathroom! Showering in the same room with your hearing aids exposes them to unnecessary moisture, and grooming routines can expose them to hair chemicals and other substances that can build up and cause damage. It’s best to do your bathroom routines in the morning before putting in your hearing aids, and at night after taking them out.