When technology stops working correctly, that’s when we tend to notice it most. That’s especially true with hearing aids: To most people who wear them, hearing aids are more than just a piece of technology; they’re a crucial lifeline to the rest of the world.

It’s both emotionally and physiologically vital to come up with solutions for malfunctioning hearing aids as quickly as possible. Whether you’ve been using your hearing aids for a week, a year, or decades, troubleshooting can be a high-stakes, frustrating process. But if you want to get your hearing aid working correctly again there are some simple steps you can take.

Preventing Trouble Before it Occurs

Any advanced piece of technology requires maintenance, and hearing aids are no exception. Even though the casing may appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be incredibly sophisticated.

Due to this you need to keep them well maintained. There are some easy ways you can make sure to take care of your hearing aids as you’re wearing them.

Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean

Your ears naturally and normally generate a certain amount of wax every day. And, to some degree, that earwax is good for your ears. But your hearing aids don’t do as well with it. Keeping your hearing aids clear and clean of wax buildup can improve the longevity of the devices. In fact, a built-in wax filter comes with most hearing aids that should also be periodically cleaned.

Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet

Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. The effectiveness of your hearing aids can be compromised, in spite of the best protection technology available, if it is routinely exposed to moisture.

This means that you shouldn’t use your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming. Also, if your hearing aids do become wet, dry them with a towel; heat from a hairdryer, for example, can hurt your hearing aids.

Schedule Time With Professional Cleaners

Hearing aids need specialized cleaning as they are delicate, expensive technology. A specialized cleaner can better achieve certain things that you can’t, even if you’re fairly thorough about your cleaning habits.

That’s why it’s suggested that you take your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.

Troubleshooting Difficulties That Are Already Happening

Preventative steps are important if your hearing aids are currently working correctly. You’re probably more interested in quick fixes if your having issues with your hearing aids not working anymore.

If your hearing aids aren’t functioning correctly, try one of the following steps:

• Look inside the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. Any significant damage will need to be repaired by a professional but you can attempt to clean away any corrosion you discover.
• Check your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. If you discover any wax buildup or debris, clear them away.
• Check your own ears. It’s possible that earwax accumulation in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
• Turn your hearing aid of then back on. This will correct the problem in some cases.
• Examine your hearing aids for visible signs of damage, such as blemishes or cracks. Your hearing aid might need to be repaired if you find any of this type of damage.
• Toggle between programs or change the settings. How you deal with it will depend on the model because they’re all different in this regard.
• Adjust the volume. This can be done with a remote or manually via the dial on the hearing aid. If your hearing aid has both options, try doing both.
• Even if your batteries are rechargeable they will periodically need to be changed out.

It’s likely that you will need to have the device repaired professionally if you want it back to original performance if none of these options help.

What if Nothing I Try Works?

You will most likely have two choices if you’ve tried troubleshooting your hearing aid and it still won’t work: either send the hearing aids in for repair or purchase a new pair of hearing aids. Which option works better for you will vary depending on your circumstances, the age of your hearing aids, and other factors.

If your hearing aids aren’t functioning well right now, take the time to do some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t work, you can move on to the next steps, such as a conversation with your hearing specialist to determine a solution. To find a solution schedule your appointment right away.