Have you ever been watching your favorite Netflix show when your internet suddenly disappears? Instead of discovering who won the baking show, you have to watch a never-ending spinning circle. All you can do is wait around for it to come back. Is it your internet provider, modem, router, or perhaps it will simply come back on its own? It sort of stinks.

Technology can be enormously aggravating when it doesn’t work correctly. The same is definitely true of your hearing aids. When they’re working properly, hearing aids can help you remain connected with the ones you love and better hear co-workers when they speak to you.

But your symptoms of hearing loss can suddenly become extremely frustrating when your hearing aids stop working. The technology you’re counting on has failed you. Why would your hearing aids just quit working? So what should you do? Well, there are three common ways that hearing aids can malfunction, here’s how you can begin to recognize and troubleshoot those problems.

Hearing aids can often have three common issues

Even though hearing aids are complex technology, people may encounter three common issues with them. Let’s take a look at possible causes of these issues and potential fixes.

Whistling and feedback

Perhaps you suddenly start to hear an awful high-pitched whistling while you’re attempting to have a chat with a friend or relative. Or maybe you notice some feedback. And so you think, “Why do I hear whistling in my hearing aids? This is strange”.

Feedback and whistling can be caused by these possible problems:

You might not have your hearing aids seated properly in your ears. Try to remove them and re-seat them. You can also try turning the volume down (if this works, you might find some temporary relief, but it also likely means that the fit isn’t quite right and you should consult us about it).
The tubing that connects the hearing aid with the earmold, on behind-the-ear models, can sometimes become compromised. Take a close look to identify whether the tube might have detached or might be compromised somehow.
The functionality of your hearing aid can be affected by earwax buildup in your ear canal. You’ll notice this comes up fairly often. Whistling and feedback are often one result of this type of earwax accumulation. You can attempt to clear some of the earwax out (never use a cotton swab) and if that fails, you can get some help from us.

Depending on the underlying cause of the feedback, we can help you deal with these problems if you can’t fix them on your own.

Hearing aids not producing sound

Your hearing aids are supposed to make, well, sound. That’s what they’re created to do! Something has certainly gone wrong if you can’t hear any sound coming from your hearing aid. So what could be the explanation when hearing aids work but no sound comes out? Here are a few things to look for:

Batteries: Make certain your batteries are fully charged. And whether your batteries are rechargeable or not, it may be worth swapping them out for fresh ones.
Earwax buildup: Yup, earwax strikes again. Inspect your device for signs of earwax on the microphone or speakers or any sensitive parts. You want to be sure the device is nice and clean.
Power: Everyone forgets to turn their hearing aids on once in a while. Make sure that isn’t the issue. Then you can cross that of the list of possible problems.
Your settings: If you have them, cycle through your personalized settings. It’s feasible your hearing devices are not on the right custom program (so perhaps your hearing aids think you’re in a gymnasium instead of around the kitchen table). This incorrect setting could throw off the sound you’re hearing.

We’re here for you if these steps don’t clear up your issues. Whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is your next step, we will be able to help you figure that out.

Painful ears while you’re wearing your hearing aids

What if your hearing aids work perfectly, but every time you put them in your ears, your ears begin hurting? And you’re likely wondering why your hearing aids would make your ears hurt. You’re not as likely to wear your hearing aids on a daily basis if they make your ears hurt. So, what could be causing it?

Time: Sometimes, it just takes some time to get accustomed to your hearing aids. How long will depend on the person. It’s worth talking about when you purchase your hearing aids so you have a reasonable concept of how long it might take you to become comfortable with your devices. If uncomfortable ears persist, speak with us about that as well!
Fit: The most obvious problem can be the fit. After all, the majority of hearing aids work best when they fit tightly. So when your hearing aids aren’t fitting very well, there can be some discomfort. Some models of hearing aid can be fit to the specific shape of your ears. Over the long haul, you will have fewer issues if you have a snug fit. If you come see us, we can help you achieve the best fit for your device.

Avoid issues with a little test drive

One of the best ways to avoid possible problems with hearing aids is to take them for a bit of a test drive before you decide. Most of the time we will have loaner pairs for you to try out before you make a decision.

Choosing the correct hearing aids, adjusting them to fit your requirements, and helping with any ongoing issues you might have, are all things we will help with. We will be your resource for any help you need.

And that’s a lot more than you will get with an over-the-counter hearing aid!