Just as with most electronic devices, hearing aids are comprised of tiny electrical components that may experience wear and tear over time. If your hearing aids stop working and you have already tried trouble shooting the problem, you’ll most likely need to visit your audiologist to have the problem assessed. Whether it’s simply due to aging or the devices being exposed to moisture, excessive wax, debris or physical damage, you’ll want your audiologist to evaluate the extent of repairs needed.
Common hearing aid issues
There are several common hearing aid issues that can cause the devices to stop working, and these issues can occur even when the hearing aid is properly cared for. Some trouble shooting steps you may want to try before seeking a repair include replacing the battery, replacing the wax traps, cleaning the earmold and brushing the microphones. If none of these solutions help, then its time to bring the hearing aids in for the audiologist to evaluate the problem. Some minor hearing aid repairs can be done in the office setting in a short period of time; others may need to be sent to the manufacturer for repair. Your audiologist can help determine what kind of a repair is necessary if you feel your hearing aid is not working properly. The audiologist will work as a liaison between you and the manufacturer should it require being sent away, to ensure you are up-to-date and know when you’ll be getting your devices back. Some manufacturer repairs can be completed in as soon as 3-5 days, while others may take closer to 2 weeks depending on the nature of the problem.
Hearing aid repairs
If you are a current patient and have hearing aids that were not fit in our office, we are happy to try to repair your hearing aids. We are able to work with most major manufacturers of hearing aids and can advise you as to whether yours is a brand we service. Hearing aids generally come with a 2 to 3-year manufacturer warranty when purchased new. If the warranty is still active, these repairs can be done at no cost. If the warranty has expired, it is still possible to repair these devices, but there will be a fee depending on the extend of repairs needed and the age of the hearing aid. Some manufacturers also offer a new year long warranty following out-of-warranty repairs.
Loss and Damage
If your hearing aid is lost or damaged beyond the point of repair our audiologist will work with you to determine what devices would be best for your current needs. If the hearing aids are still under warranty, a replacement device can be issued through your loss and damage policy. If the hearing aids are no longer under warranty your audiologist will work with you to find the best solution to repair or replace the device.
Hearing aid maintenance
One easy way to keep your hearing aids in good working order is by properly caring for and maintaining the devices. This means cleaning them daily with a dry cloth, replacing wax traps, removing batteries at night to allow any moisture to evaporate and examining them periodically for any scratches, cracks or damages. Remember to talk with your audiologist if you discover any kind of malfunction or damage to your device, or if sound quality has begun to change.