When you need to know everything about hearing aids, a hearing instrument specialist (HIS) is the person to talk to. They have extensive knowledge of hearing aids and how they can help you if you have hearing loss. Your HIS is also the person to speak to if you think there might be something wrong with your hearing aid. They can take a look at your hearing aid and take care of repairs so that you can get your hearing aid in working order again.

If you need to have your hearing aid repaired, here are some important questions to ask your hearing instrument specialist.

How much will it cost?

The cost of repairs is probably the first thing that you will want to know about if you need to get your hearing aid repaired. Your HIS might not be able to give you an exact price until they know what’s wrong with your hearing aid. However, they can likely give you an estimate or tell you their different service levels so you know the maximum that you could be paying. Some repairs can be cheap because the problem requires a simple fix. Others can be more expensive, and it could even make more sense to buy new hearing aids.

Which brands do you service?

Check that your hearing instrument specialist is capable of servicing your hearing aid brand. Some might be affiliated with certain brands or might have more knowledge and experience of particular makes and models. It’s a good idea to ask and make sure that they can repair your hearing aid first. Many hearing instrument specialists are happy to repair hearing aids of all brands.

What will they be doing?

Your hearing aids can be a significant investment, so handing them over to someone else can be a little concerning. Understanding what the HIS will be doing to your hearing aid and why can reassure you and put your mind at ease. They might carry out some tests with you present, but they can also take your hearing aid away so that they can look at it closer. They should explain what they will be doing to diagnose what the problem might be.

What tests do they use and why?

Your HIS will use several tests to check how your hearing aid is working and what the problem might be. Ask them which tests they will use and why so that you have a good idea of what work will be carried out. They can tell you about what they find and what they’re looking for with each of the tests they use.

How long will it take?

Knowing how much time assessment and repair of your hearing aid will take is useful to know. Should you wait around, or is it better to go away and come back? Can the repair be completed on the same day, or will you have to return another day?

When you take your hearing aids for repair, ask the right questions to know what will happen.