Troubleshooting Hearing Aids

By Hearing Professionals

A three-minute daily routine of properly cleaning your hearing aids has become a habit and you've come to rely on the benefits your hearing aids provide you. But, when they're not working it puts you in a stressful situationdon't fret.

Here a few troubleshooting tips to try to get your hearing aids working.

If the Aid Does Not Work At All

Check if the battery is inserted correctly. The flat side of the battery inscribed with the + symbol should be facing towards you. If you have to force the battery, you probably have it upside down.

Check to see the battery is not dead. If in doubt, try a new battery, preferably one from a new or different package of batteries. A dead battery is the most common reason for “dead aids.” Always check the expiration dates before purchasing.

Check the battery contacts to be sure they are not corroded.

Check the tubing to be sure it is not clogged with moisture or wax. Moisture will cause the tube to look cloudy and/or the appearance of condensation in the tube.

Check earmold/dome to be sure that sound bore is not clogged with wax. Replace the white wax guard (on newer styles).

If Sound Is Weaker Than Usual

Check battery. Replace if necessary.

Brush debris from the hearing aid using the soft brush that came in your cleaning kit. Small sound inlets can become clogged and blocked.

Check tubing for cracks, fraying, moisture, etc. Replace if necessary.

Check that the earmold/dome is not clogged with wax.

Reposition the earmold/dome for a tighter fit; it may have been whistling (feedback) at a pitch you cannot hear.

If Aid Goes On/Off Or Has Scratchy Sound

Check battery contacts.

Think where you have been. If in a very humid environment or have experienced excessive perspiration, moisture may clog the aid and distort sounds. Wipe the hearing aid dry with a microfiber cloth and use a hearing aid dehumidifier overnight.

Check the tubing from earmold/dome to the hearing aid and replace it if bent, cracked, frayed.

If The Aid Whistles (“Feedback”)

Probably an earmold/dome problem. Remove the aid, put a finger over the earmold/dome hole. If the whistling stops, the earmold/dome was not properly inserted in the ear, or is not a good fit. Try it again in the ear; if the whistle continues, consult your audiologist.

Sometimes feedback may occur when you have a blockage of wax in the ear canal, a stiff eardrum (from a cold, for example) or any condition that causes sound to be reflected from the ear canal. In these cases, the earmold/dome may be fine, and the feedback will disappear when the condition is corrected.

Check volume control; it may have been turned too high (older style hearing aids have manual volume controls).

Keep in mind, these tips may not always solve the problem and your audiologist may need to perform maintenance and cleaning on the hearing aids, check your ears, and/or conduct a new hearing test.