What Causes Hearing Aids to Stop Working?

A hearing aid is a piece of technology that is used regularly or every day in many cases, so it's not surprising you will run into some tech issues with it during your time with the device. But if you know some of the signs and symptoms of a damaged hearing aid device you should be able to guard against damage. 

The Battery 

Hearing aid batteries are usually button batteries because they are economical with their size and contain enough power for a small device like a hearing aid. These batteries have different power levels, but they typically last around a month depending on usage. 

You have noticed that your hearing isn't as good as it once was or that you hear high pitched squeaks now and then. This is an indication your hearing device is losing its battery power and that the button battery will need replaced.

Blocked Tubing 

Most external hearing aids will have a tube that runs from the device to the earpiece, it's job is to carry sound from the device situated behind the ear to the earpiece and into the inner ear. Although its job is simple it can be easily blocked causing the device to stop working. 

The most common occurrence is for the hearing aid tubing to become blocked with wax. This happens when wax from the inner ear and the earpiece makes its way into the tube and prevents sound from traveling. Remove the tube and clean it with hot soapy water. 

Cracked or Twisted Tubing 

The tubing can also cause you some problems if it becomes cracked or twisted, this will prevent sounds from traveling through the tube to the earpiece and affect the quality of sound intensity of the hearing aid. You might notice a reduction in your ability to hear. 

Take off the hearing aid device and inspect it, examine the tubing and look for signs of wear and tear. You are looking for cracks and kinks as well as the wax build-up. If you find that the tubing is damaged you will have to buy some new tubing online. 

Water Damage 

Many hearing aids today are made to be watered resistant, this is a good thing as hearing aids can be easily damaged by rain or moisture. The trouble is that they are not always fully waterproof, and care must still be taken when using them in moist environments. 

When water gets into the device it can stop the internals from working. Water on the battery will cause it to rust and the delicate circuits can also corrode and be one faulty. Hearing aids are water resistant to an extent but only to protect against spills and rain. 

Internal Damage 

If your hearing aid has started to become faulty and you hear squeaking sounds or have difficulty hearing people talk as normal, it could indicate internal problems with this device. These can result from water damage or dropping the device. 

Identifying internal problems is usually a matter of elimination, check the battery and the tubing first, if you still have issues it could indicate some internal issues. These can't be replaced on your own, so take your device back to your audiologist.