One out of five of the 30 million people with some form of hearing loss wear hearing aids.
For those who wear hearing aids, most would say they impact their daily lives, making them more functional and a part of day-to-day activities.
Those same people would probably agree that when they have a nonfunctioning hearing aid, it's also impactful.
When you're used to your hearing aids assisting you in hearing, it can be a big problem when they don't function the way they should.
So, what signs tell you that you might need a hearing aid repair? Read on to learn more.
Damage to the Device
You want to watch for hearing aid damage to your devices. Hearing aids are small, so it might be hard to notice.
You should already be practicing regular cleaning of your hearing aids. This will help you to notice if there's a loose or missing part on the hearing aid.
Watch for small cracks in the device, too. It might seem like it's not a big deal. Yet, a crack can allow moisture into the hearing aid.
It can also impact how the hearing aid works once inside your ear.
Whistling Sounds
One common complaint of hearing aid wearers is when they get a whistling sound from the hearing aid. Not only is this highly frustrating, but it can also mean you might miss other sounds you should be hearing.
Hearing aid whistling sounds can occur for a few reasons. If you're getting whistling in your ears from a hearing aid, you need to get it checked out.
Whistling can occur if the hearing aid doesn't fit your ear well. It can also occur if the wearer has excess wax in their ears, preventing sound from moving in the ear.
No Amplified Sound
The point of a hearing aid is to amplify sound so you can hear it. If suddenly you don't hear sounds from your hearing aid, there's a problem.
First, you want to make sure the hearing aid is turned on. Is it working? Do you have working batteries?
Some devices work with Bluetooth technology.
If the hearing aid is on, you may have a wax blockage either in your ear or in the device itself. Once you've done some cleaning, it's time to have the hearing aid checked out if you still don't have sound.
Distorted Sounds
Another common problem is when hearing aid sound gets distorted. In this scenario, the hearing aid is on, and sound is coming through; it's just not clear sound.
First, ensure your listening device or ear doesn't have wax in it. Excess wax can impact sounds. The sounds going into your ear are distorted.
If there's no wax build-up, then it makes sense to have the hearing aid checked out because of the distorted sound.
Fluctuating Volume
An essential feature of a listening device is the ability to adjust the volume depending on your needs and the environment that you're in.
A problem you might face is hearing aid volume fluctuation or even lack of it. You might adjust your hearing aid, and the device doesn't respond to the change.
Likewise, you may notice that you're getting fluctuations in sound when you haven't made any adjustments. This could signal an internal problem, so it's time to get them checked out.
Hearing Aid Got Wet
Parts of your hearing aid are made to be water-resistant. They will experience humidity with wear from your sweat and even some rain when they are out in the elements.
Hearing aids are not, however, meant to get deeply wet, like with swimming or in the shower.
Sometimes users get so used to their hearing aids they forget they have them in and walk into the shower with them on. While the hearing aid might still be working, you should probably have them professionally checked.
There may be water in the internal parts of the listening device, which will eventually cause problems. It's better to be proactive than to have a costly repair.
Worsening Hearing
As a person who wears listening aids, you're likely to be acutely aware of how well or lacking your hearing is. If you feel like your hearing is worsening, it's a sign you should investigate.
You may find that you're struggling to hear well, even with the same settings. You may find that you have to adjust settings often. You might also find that background noise is causing more hearing loss for you.
These are all signs that your hearing aid could need some adjustments or repairs or that you need to be re-evaluated by an audiologist.
Won't Turn On
When you first got your hearing aids, you hopefully got some good direction on how to use them and care for them.
You may find a day when your hearing aid is not turning on. First, check for basic things like whether the battery is working. If your hearing aid is connected to an app on your phone, see if it's connected.
If you check to ensure all the parts are tight and the battery is working, and you still can't get it to turn on, then it needs to be checked by a professional.
Getting Your Hearing Aids Evaluated
It's important not to ignore any warning signs you're seeing from your hearing aid. First, you got them so you can hear. Your ability to hear will be impacted if they aren't working well.
Many hearing aids come with warranties. Your warranty can be impacted if you don't give them the proper care.
Also, be sure to take your hearing aids to a professional familiar with the brand of hearing aid you're wearing.
Hearing Aid Repair for You
Hearing aid repair is vital if you have signs that your hearing aid isn't working properly. When you care for them well, they will likely have a longer life for you.
If you have questions or need help with your hearing aids, we can assist you. Contact us today so we can get your hearing aids working well.