Troubleshooting Common Hearing Aid Problems

If your hearing aid isn’t working as well as it should, or isn’t working at all, your first instinct is probably to schedule an appointment with your hearing care provider immediately. While this may be necessary sometimes, there are a number of common and easily rectifiable problems with your hearing aids that you may be able to sort out yourself – saving you a lot of time and possible money! Check out the list of common problems and solutions below, before you take the step of contacting your hearing care professional:

My hearing aid is not working at all

We all know how easy it can be to overlook the simplest of things, so first of all, check that your device is actually switched on. Having crossed that off the list, the next most common culprit is the batteries. First, make sure the battery is facing the right way in the device and that the compartment door is shut properly. If your hearing aid batteries are older or not a fresh pair, switch them out to see if that is causing issues with your device.

If your hearing aid has multiple settings, make sure it is turned on the appropriate one. If none of the above has solved your problem, or if you notice any cracks anywhere in the tubing or faceplate of your aid: it’s time to contact your hearing care practitioner.

My hearing aid is making a whistling sound

The most common cause of whistling or feedback is volume that has been set too high, so reduce the sound level slightly to see if that fixes your problem. Whistling can occur if the device is not fit snugly in your ear canal, so see if adjusting the position eliminates the unwanted sound. If these steps don’t improve the sound, contact your hearing specialist; the shape of your ear canal can change subtly over time, so adjustments to the fit of your hearing aid may occasionally be needed.

My hearing aid is producing a weak sound

Dead batteries can cause your hearing aid to produce a weak sound, so see if it is improved by replacing them. Remember, batteries can expire, so even if you put in “new” batteries they may still be week if they’re more than a year old. Next, check the tubing for blockages; even very small build-ups of earwax or moisture can be enough to prevent sound from passing through. Remove the tubing and clean it out gently, making sure if fully dries before reattaching it to your device.

If you follow these common troubleshooting tips and your hearing aid is still malfunctioning, schedule an appointment to see your hearing health provider as soon as possible. While it may still be something simple, hearing aid problems can indicate repairs, so it’s best to trust your hearing healthcare provider to fully examine it.