What to Expect with Hearing Aid Repair
Since hearing aids are such essential parts of a wearer's life it is important that they are in good condition at all times so that they can effectively do their jobs for that individual rather than causing frustration and discomfort for various reasons. Hearing aid repairs are required from time to time since hearing aids are complex units, having electrical components, mechanical components as well as the packaging that allows the device to sit comfortable on and in the ear.
DIY Hearing Aid Repair
Although there are some times when the hearing aid will need to go into a hearing aid repair shop, there are some common issues that can be solved by the individual at home. There are specialized hearing aid repair shops, such as Phonak or Beltone, which typically work on their own brand of hearing aids. Other hearing aid repair shops will work on a multitude of hearing aids, regardless of brand or type. There are certain problems that will occur more often with completely in the ear canal hearing aids versus the behind the ear hearing aids, as well as differences between the analog hearing aids and the digital hearing aids.
Tips
Rather than take that hearing aid into a hearing aid repair shop every time that there is some difficulty with it, there are some tips to try at home first. If the hearing aid does not work at all, it is possible that the battery has died or that it was not inserted properly into the device. It is a good idea to have a battery tester, which can usually be obtained for about ten dollars, so that the battery can be checked to see if it still has any power in it. Another problem might be that the hearing aid has been turned off, causing it not to work, or that the ear mold and receiver tube is blocked. If the tube is blocked, it can be cleaned according to the instructions that come with the hearing aid.
If the hearing aid only works off and on, some of the same issues mentioned above can be checked before taking it into a hearing aid repair shop. In addition, there may be a problem with excess ear wax in the ear canal which a doctor can remove. If these tips have been tried and the device is still only working on an intermittent basis, then it should be taken to a hearing aid repair shop to be checked and fixed.
Another common problem is that the amplification of the device is not correct, coming through in a weak way or having a lot of distortion. Again, there may be a problem with the battery, the ear tub might be blocked, or there might be wax in the ear canal that is causing the problem. There also might be a change in the individual's hearing, so they should go to the doctor to have it checked. If these measures have been tried, then the individual should take the device to a hearing aid repair shop to have it looked at and fixed.
