Handling Hearing Aid Repairs

Just like eyeglasses, you depend on your hearing aids to help you with your daily routine. But sometimes things happen to cause your hearing aids to malfunction. Is it something you can take care of at home? Could your audiologist fix the issue? Is it a major concern? There are several stages to hearing aid repairs. Evaluating the problem first can help determine how best to proceed.

Do some troubleshooting

Sometimes what seems to be a major issue may be something you overlooked. While hearing aids are complex in their function, there could be a simple solution. Start by performing these checks first:

• Turn the units off and then on again. Sometimes a simple reset of on/off may get things working again.
• Open and close the battery compartment. The batteries may not be touching the contacts correctly or the battery compartment was not completely closed.
• Replace the batteries. Trying a new battery may solve the problem, even if you just put in a new battery. Perhaps the battery was inserted incorrectly.
• Adjust the volume. The volume controls may have been accidentally bumped or turned down. Sometimes moving the dial can dislodge any debris to fix the issue.
• Clean the hearing aids. Wax or dirt may affect their operation. Brush debris from all controls and wipe down the hearing aids. Check for any moisture and wipe it away. Check wax filters and inspect hearing aid tubing for wear.
• Remove and reinsert your hearing aids. If your units were not sitting properly in your ears, it may appear that they were not working.

See your audiologist

Minor repairs such as broken battery doors or cracked tubing can be repaired at your audiologist’s office. Your audiologist also can replace any damaged parts such as earbuds or tubes which may fix the issue. Perhaps reprogramming the units will take care of the problem.

Sometimes a professional cleaning is the solution. Your hearing aids should be professionally cleaned a few times a year as preventive maintenance.

Check your hearing aid warranty

If repairs cannot be made at home or by your audiologist they will have to be sent to the manufacturer. Hearing aids that are less than two years old likely are under warranty and repairs may be covered. You may also have purchased an extended warranty which could cover units over two years old. Some warranties allow for replacement if repairs cannot be made.

If your units are older or there is visible damage such as a cracked case, repairs are unlikely. Generally, the cost of repairing hearing aids more than five years old is not worth it. Chances are your prescription has changed and there are technological improvements. In these cases, replacement is a better option.

Hearing aid repairs can be minor or major. Often it’s something small that happens that can be taken care of at home or at your audiologist’s office. Daily cleaning and care coupled with preventive maintenance goes a long way toward helping prevent major problems.