Hearing Aid Troubleshooting You Can Do at Home

2020-09-16 If your hearing aid has stopped working, there’s no need to panic – or rush to an audiologist’s office (at least not yet). While hearing aid repairs are necessary from time to time, there are a number of things you can try first. Even if you don’t know everything about your hearing aid, there are several easy things you can do at home to determine the problem and fix it yourself at no expense.

1. Remove and re-insert the hearing aid.
Hearing aids need to be put in precisely. Many times, a poor fit can cause feedback or poor sound quality. One of the simplest things you can try is to take the hearing aid out of your ear (make sure everything’s hooked up and turned on while you’re at it) and replace it so it sits properly. If there are still air gaps or the hearing aid doesn’t feel like it’s fitting right, it might be time to have it re-fitted by an audiologist – something that can be done right in the office.

2. Check the batteries and compartment.
If your hearing aid fits right, check the battery. Hearing aid batteries have short lifespans, especially if they’re used several hours a day. You might just need to replace the batteries, but be sure to check them for corrosion and moisture. Make sure your battery compartment is dry and fits precisely so you’re getting a good connection.

3. Check your input settings.
Another thing you can easily troubleshoot if you’re hearing aid doesn’t seem to be working right is your settings. Check to make sure your settings are properly adjusted for the environment you’re in, the number of people you’re interacting with or the activity you’re doing. If these settings are already programmed and you prefer not to adjust them manually, visit your audiologist for help (this service is usually free).

4. Clean your hearing aid.
Wax, dirt and water are all harmful to your hearing aid and can cause it to work poorly or stop working altogether. Cleaning your hearing aids daily with the right tools from a cleaning kit and placing them in a hearing aid dryer at night will solve and prevent common problems.

Most hearing aids have a wax filter as an extra barrier between damaging earwax and electronic parts. If you’re hearing aid isn’t working well, replacing this filter could be the simple fix to improve sound quality. Experts recommend replacing this filter anywhere from two weeks to every few months, depending on how much earwax you tend to have.

You may not fully how your device works, but you can do these four things to troubleshoot before taking your hearing aid in for repairs. In the event your hearing aid needs repairs, contact your audiologist; many can perform small tasks onsite!