Hearing aids are as crucial as eyeglasses to the millions of people who use them daily at work, home, and when they're out and about. When a hearing aid suddenly stops working, it can be just as annoying and hard to use, so it's essential to be able to spot problems quickly and fix them.

Here are some of the most common problems people have with hearing aids and some easy ways to fix them. 

Issue #1: The hearing aid doesn't turn on.

A few things could cause a hearing aid to stop making sounds. A "dead" hearing aid could mean several things: 

• the battery is spent
• the battery is in the wrong place (upside down)  
• the sound outlet or microphone opening is blocked  
• the volume is too low 
• the device is broken

First, ensure your hearing aid is on, and the battery is in the right spot. If the battery is dead, you can fix the problem by installing a new one (or recharging if you have a rechargeable battery). Next, ensure that your hearing aid's volume setting hasn't been turned down by accident. 

If these steps don't help, check the hearing aid, microphone, and tubing carefully for any blockages and clean the device. If you think your hearing aid might be broken, see us so we can fix it for you.

Issue #2: The volume on my hearing aid is too low.

If your hearing aid isn't loud enough, it could mean a few different things. 

Check the tubing of your hearing aid for cracks, moisture, or blockages. If your device has a manual volume control, ensure it is not turned down. If you need help replacing the tubing, call us. 

Next, try switching between different programs or memory settings. The aid may have been set to the wrong program by accident. 

Lastly, consider setting up a hearing test to ensure your hearing loss hasn't worsened. Our team can give you a full hearing test and make changes to your hearing aid if you find that your hearing needs have changed.

Issue #3: The sound is distorted.

Hearing aids often make distorted or hard-to-understand sounds because of a problem with the battery or the hearing aid itself. 

Take your battery out and take a look at it. If it looks corroded, you should get a new one. The problem could also be caused by battery contacts that are dirty or have rust on them (the little metal prongs that connect with the battery when the door is closed). If they look broken or dirty, carefully clean them, change the battery, and see if the sound is better. 

Issue #4:  My hearing aid makes whistling or feedback sounds.

If your hearing aid starts sounding like nails on a blackboard, something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Most of the digital hearing aids on the market today have automatic feedback suppression built-in. However, feedback can still happen if a device isn't put in the right way.

First, take out your hearing aids and try putting them back in. 

If your hearing aids are in correctly and stop whistling when you turn down the volume, there may be a problem with the fit. In this case, you should take your device to a hearing care professional for a fit adjustment. 

Feedback can also be caused by a buildup of earwax in the ear canal. When you turn up the volume more than usual to hear through the wax, more sound leaks out and can bounce off the blockage, reverberating.

Come and see us if nothing else works.

If you can't fix the hearing aid system, call us. We currently work with Phonak, Signia, Widex, Unitron, Resound, and Starkey hearing aids. If we can't get your devices working in the office, we'll send it to the manufacturer to fix it if we can't do it ourselves. With professional tools and expertise, we can help you get the most out of your hearing aid again.

If you have a warranty for your hearing aid, the cost of replacing it is likely to be low. If your hearing aid only needs a new tube or a deep clean and adjustment, it won't cost much and can be done right where you are.

If we have to ship it to the manufacturer and you don't have a warranty on the hearing aid, the costs will probably be higher. Hearing aids are sent back to be fixed because of problems like broken or missing parts or problems with the sound components. You might not realize that rebuilding and fixing the outside shell costs more than fixing and replacing the inside parts.

Is your hearing aid operating, but you don’t feel like you’re hearing as well as you should?

Call us if you suspect you’re not getting the most out of your hearing aids. Even if you didn't buy the hearing aids from us, our Audiologists will do what they can to get you hearing your best again. For those that just need their devices reprogrammed, we offer an existing wearer consultation for $186 - this appointment includes Real Ear Measurement and programming of your current devices.