Like any electronic device, hearing aids will occasionally malfunction. Not to worry – we’re here to assist you in identifying minor hearing aid problems and how to troubleshoot them. This information may save you time and reduce frustration by helping you remedy some of these problems yourself, so you can continue receiving benefit from your hearing aid.
If… you experience one of the following problems:
-Complete loss of sound-Weak or intermittent amplification
-Internal noises or distorted/garbled sound
Then … ask yourself these four questions to troubleshoot.
1. Is my hearing aid on?
If you aren’t getting any sound from your hearing aid, ensure the hearing aid battery door is completely closed and the hearing aid is turned on. If you have a volume control, be sure the volume is not set on mute or on the minimum setting.
2. Is there a problem with the battery?
The battery needs to sit in the hearing aid in a specific way for it to work (refer to your instruction manual for information on proper placement). Like other batteries, hearing aid batteries are polarized and have both “+” and “-” markings. The flat side of the hearing aid battery is the positive pole. Check for proper placement of the battery in your hearing aid. If the battery is upside down, your hearing aid won’t be able to draw power.
Next, make sure you aren’t working with a dead or weak battery. Remove a fresh battery from the package and remove the sticker/tab from the battery. We recommend you wait 3-5 minutes after removing the sticker before using the battery. This time allows the battery to completely charge before being ready for use. Insert the new battery into the hearing aid. If you have a battery tester, you can use it to check the power level of the hearing aid battery as well.
3. Is the hearing aid clogged?
Earwax, moisture, oils and other foreign materials can build up in the microphone(s), sound port, and tubing of the hearing aid negatively affecting its function.
-Wipe hearing aid with a clean, dry cloth or tissue.-If your hearing professional provided you with a cleaning tool or brush, use it to clean debris from the hearing aid’s components.
-Clean or replace wax guard/protection.
For a step-by-step guide to clean and care for your hearing aids, click here.
4. Am I wearing the most appropriate program?
If your hearing aid has multiple programs, verify that you are using the most appropriate program for your environment. Some programs that are intended for the telephone or specific environments may sound unusual if you are using them in other situations.
It is important to remember that certain types of malfunctions should be reported to our practice to prevent further damage to the hearing aid or to avoid invalidating the hearing aid's warranty. If the troubleshooting suggestions above do not resolve the problem or if there is physical damage to your hearing aid, please contact us. We can often make repairs or modifications in-office. In some cases, we may need to send the hearing aid to the manufacturer for repair.
This blog originally appeared on www.starkey.com.