What Hearing Aid Repairs Happen Most Frequently

Hearing aids allow millions of individuals to appreciate sound. However, like any advanced device they need care and maintenance. Knowing which are the most frequent hearing aid repairs may help you better maintain these invaluable devices. Here we will look at which repairs audiologists typically see and provide tips to minimize potential issues.

Earwax

Though small in size, earwax can affect your hearing aids. Earwax buildup is one of the primary reasons behind hearing aid malfunctions and can prevent sound from reaching the internal microphone resulting in distortion or complete silence. Regular cleaning and using earwax guards may help combat this problem but when this persists a professional deep clean by an audiologist may be necessary to resolve this problem.

Moisture Can Damage Hearing Aids

Moisture is one of the main threats to hearing aids, whether from sweat, humidity or accidental submersion in water. Moisture intrusion could result in static noise, intermittent sound or no sound at all. Many audiologists recommend using a dehumidifier designed for hearing aids, to keep moisture at bay. If you notice excess moisture in your hearing aids, talk with your audiologist.

Battery Issues

When hearing aids suddenly stop functioning, you may want to check the batteries first. While replacing an inoperable one should be straightforward, battery contacts in devices may become dirty or corroded over time and prevent proper energy flow between battery and hearing aid. Regular cleaning of these contacts should help protect them, though should they become dirty due to corrosion build-up then consult your audiologist to clean or replace them.

Feedback Whistling

Have you ever heard a high-pitched whistling sound from your hearing aid? That is feedback, which often indicates a need for repair. Feedback may stem from issues related to an earmold like poor fit or cracks or from malfunctions within its internal components. Typically correcting feedback requires professional adjustment but in certain instances resealing or replacing an earmold may do the trick.

Connectivity Issues

Modern hearing aids come equipped with Bluetooth capabilities, which is both great and can potentially cause issues. Pairing difficulties, dropped connections or the inability to stream audio can all be issues due to software bugs or hardware compatibility. Audiologists can assist in diagnosing connectivity problems to ensure your devices communicate seamlessly as intended.

Broken or Missing Components

Hearing aids are delicate devices, which makes them susceptible to physical wear or damage over time. Tubing may crack, microphones may dislodge themselves from their placement on a hearing aid, battery doors can break and parts may go missing altogether. Physical repairs are among the top hearing aid repairs performed by audiologists on a daily basis.

Hearing aid repairs can be prevented by taking a proactive approach to hearing aid care may reduce both their frequency and severity. Regular cleaning, maintenance and storage as well as timely professional check-ups will help your hearing aids serve you better, decreasing repair needs over time. Working closely with an audiologist help to prevent major repairs and offer you a better quality of life.