Hearing aids are designed to last and built to provide years of quality service. Because they are regularly exposed to harsh environments, they will occasionally experience problems. the ear canals inevitably attract dirt, moisture and earwax buildup – all of which can wreak havoc with the electronic components in your hearing aids.
In order to keep your hearing aids in great working condition, regular maintenance and service is key.
If you have tried the troubleshooting tips below and still can’t get your hearing aids to work properly, please contact us to schedule an evaluation.
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aids
If your hearing aids aren’t working properly, try the following techniques for a quick fix.
If the sound is weak or distorted:
- The battery may be dead or weak; replace it.
- Open the battery compartment and clean the contacts with a dry cloth.
- Clean the earmold or tubing with wax removal tools; replace wax guard.
If there is no sound:
- Make sure the battery is inserted correctly.
- Replace the battery if you suspect it is dead or weak.
- Remove excess earwax from earmold or replace wax guard.
- Check tubing for wax buildup or moisture; clean with blower tool.
- Make sure hearing aid isn’t accidentally set to telecoil mode.
If you are experiencing feedback or whistling:
- Remove and reinsert your hearing aids.
- Turn down the volume.
- Make sure there is nothing blocking or covering your hearing aids.
- Have your doctor check your ears for excess wax and remove if necessary.
Hearing Aid Repair
The cost of repairing your hearing aids depends on a number of factors. We must determine the following:
- Whether your hearing aids are under warranty (basic or extended).
- The extent of damage.
- The price of replacement parts.
- Labor charges.
If your hearing aids are still under warranty and purchased through us, the cost of repairs will be nominal or free. If the warranty has expired, we’ll need to assess the level of damage before providing you with an estimate.
Occasionally the cost of repair will be high enough that you may be better off investing in a new pair of hearing aids. This is especially true if your current hearing aids are more than five years old or if you have already repaired your hearing aids. Because of the technological advances, a new pair of hearings aids are more powerful and come packed with features for improved sound quality.
The expert staff at Audiology Center Northwest is happy to evaluate your hearing aids and help you decide whether having them repaired makes the most financial sense. We service all makes and models and offer domes, wax guards, re-tubing services, batteries and receiver replacement. We are here to provide you with assistance.
Call Audiology Center Northwest at (503) 232-1845 for more information or to schedule an appointment.