Hearing aids can do amazing things, but just like anything else you use regularly, they need some routine cleaning once in a while. Just as you would bring your car to the mechanic for an oil change, or another simple, same-day repair, hearing aids should be brought in to your audiologist for routine maintenance.
But what happens if your hearing aids stop working and they aren’t due for servicing yet? Well, there are a few at-home fixes you can try before you start to panic! Here are a few of the most common things that can cause your hearing aids to stop working, and the solutions you can try!
- Ear wax in the filter. Using a small stick (as seen below), you can remove the old filter and place a new one. After you change the filter, you can throw the stick away, as they are for one-time use.
- Ear wax on the rubber tip. Aside from changing the tip every few months, you can use a lightly damp paper towel to wipe off any wax that may be stuck on it. This will allow the sound from the hearing aid to enter your ear as intended, without anything blocking the opening.
- Dead batteries. Sometimes batteries die sooner than expected. Try changing the battery, or making sure your charger is fully plugged in.
If you would like step-by-step instructions, here is a link to a few “how-to” videos! https://gardneraudiology.com/category/how-to-videos/
At all Gardner Audiology locations, our audiologists are able to work with hearing aids from all of the major manufacturers. If you aren’t able to fix the issue at home, we have on-site repair labs and can send your hearing aid to the manufacturer for servicing, if required. If you are in need of a hearing aid repair in the Tampa Bay area, please contact Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 to schedule an appointment.
