Although hearing aids have become more technologically advanced, they are still prone to developing issues after extensive use. After all, most hearing aids last anywhere from four-to-five years and having anything for that long – especially when the components are so small and minute – is at risk for getting lost or broken at least once.

Those who wear hearing aids on a regular basis can help reduce the need for repair by following proper maintenance protocols. During your hearing aid fitting at The Hearing and Tinnitus Center, your audiologist will ensure you understand the proper way to take care of your hearing aids.

Proper maintenance strategies include:

Removing your hearing aids daily
Wiping any excess moisture from hearing aids
Removing any excess debris from hearing aids
Removing the battery or opening the battery door at night
Placing hearing aids in a safe, moisture-free container overnight

Unfortunately, even hearing aids that receive the best of care will likely need repair. Sometimes, hearing aids collect moisture, excess debris, get dropped or mishandled. While it can sometimes be difficult to tell if your hearing aids need repair, there are some telltale signs that indicate your hearing aids aren’t working properly.

Those signs include:

Intermittent sound, or no sound at all
Feedback or high-pitched whistling
Static noise
Discomfort or pain upon insertion into the ear

Most audiologists recommend against repairing malfunctioning hearing aids at home and at The Hearing and Tinnitus Center, we agree. If your hearing aid is producing static sounds or high-pitched whistling noises, please give us a call. Our audiologist will be happy to walk you through a few do-it-yourself tips to troubleshoot the issues at home to determine the severity of the maintenance your hearing aid may require.

Some easy, at-home troubleshooting options include:

Ensuring the battery is properly placed into the hearing aid
Ensuring the battery is fully charged
Ensuring the hearing aid is turned on
Ensuring the volume of the hearing aid is set to the right level

If the troubleshooting tips fail to help, we recommend bringing your hearing aid and other devices to The Hearing and Tinnitus Center. Our audiologist is trained to work with your devices. If we are unable to repair them in our clinic, we will work with the manufacturer to get your hearing aids repaired as soon as possible. In the interim period, make sure to talk to your audiologist about the Hearing and Tinnitus Center hearing aid loaner policy.