What to Do if Your Hearing Aid Breaks

Although hearing aids are built to be durable, the condition of your ear and the complexity of the device can cause its performance to decline over time. Regular maintenance and addressing problems as soon as they occur can help keep your hearing aid functioning well until it’s time for a replacement. If your hearing aid stops working or malfunctions, there are a few things you can try at home to fix it before seeking help from your hearing health professional. However, if you do notice something is wrong, there are a few things to check before you talk to your hearing health professional about hearing aid repairs.

Check They’re Turned On

In the first instance, if your hearing aids aren’t working, check if they’re turned on. This sounds obvious, but it can be easy to overlook if you’re in a rush or you’ve not been wearing your devices long enough.

Check the Battery

Hearing aids use small lithium-ion batteries to power them; if the battery has run down, it will not turn on. If you are having problems using your hearing aid, check that the battery isn’t damaged or flat. Try a new battery and see if it turns on. Always change the battery over a soft surface to avoid any damage or dropping, and ensure your hands are clean and dry before handling them.

Check the Volume

It can be easy to change the volume on your hearing aids accidentally, especially if you’re not used to handling them yet, or you’re still learning all the functions and features. Before you rush out for repairs, check that the volume is at the right level. If the volume is at the right level, talk with your hearing care provider, they can help to adjust your hearing aids and make repairs is necessary.

Check for Visible Damage

If you’ve broken your hearing aid in any way and it has sustained damage, this can cause it to need repairs. Look for cracks in the casein, parts missing or cracked or damaged tubing. The tubing can become warped, cracked or damaged from handling and inserting it into place each time on its own. If this is the case, it could affect the hearing aid’s functionality, requiring the device to be repaired.

Talk to Your Hearing Health Professional

If you have gone through the above troubleshooting steps and your hearing aids are still not working, your next step should be to seek the expertise of your hearing health professional about hearing aid repairs. Their guidance and knowledge will ensure your hearing aids are back in working order as soon as possible.

Your hearing health professional might be able to carry out some minor repairs onsite, like replacing a damaged tube or adjusting the volume control, so you can get back to wearing your devices without being without your hearing aids for too long. But in some cases, more extensive repairs may be necessary, and you might have to wait for your hearing aids to be sent to the manufacturer. Never attempt to do any repairs aside from general cleaning, changing the battery or adjusting your settings yourself to avoid causing any more damage.