Hearing Aid Repair
If you wear hearing aids, you know how disorienting it is to be without them. At Hearing Services of Antioch, we’re committed to making sure your hearing aids are in good working order for the entirety of their lifespan.
Today’s hearing aids are robust, durable instruments, but you may still have a problem with them from time to time. The miniaturization of state-of-the-art technology makes them more vulnerable to damage from moisture and physical jostling. While good maintenance practices definitely go a long way toward keeping your hearing aids in good shape, most hearing aids will need a repair at some point in their lifetime.
We make most repairs in house on the day you bring your hearing aids in. We’ll also clean up your hearing aids and remove any accumulated moisture and/or debris. In some cases, hearing aids may need to be returned to the manufacturer for repair. If this is necessary, the repair may take 10–14 days due to shipping time and the manufacturer’s schedule. We are glad to offer you a “loaner” hearing aid for the time your hearing aids are being repaired.
Do My Hearing Aids Need Repair?
A hearing aid that won’t turn on or make any sound (a “dead” aid) requires repair whenever the troubleshooting steps above don’t make any difference. But a hearing aid may be making some sound and still require repair. If your hearing aids aren’t loud enough, or sound distorted, murky, or otherwise wrong to you, you should bring them in for repair.
Likewise, if your hearing aids are whistling (feeding back) a lot, there may be an issue with your fitment that requires attention. If you notice that your batteries aren’t lasting as long as they normally do, a repair is probably necessary.
Finally, if there is visible damage to the casing of your hearing aids, you should have them repaired immediately, even if they still work properly. A breach in the casing is sure to cause bigger issues if it is not repaired promptly!
Avoiding Repair: Proper Maintenance Techniques
Hearing aids do not require a complicated maintenance routine, most of the time. The two main things to remember with hearing aids are:
- Keep your hearing aids clean & dry
- Keep your ears clean & dry
At the end of each day, wipe your hearing aids with a clean, dry cloth after you take them out. If you use disposable batteries, open the battery compartments to allow any accumulated moisture to dry out over night. Keep your hearing aids out of the bathroom while you are showering or performing other routines: moisture and cosmetic products can wreak havoc on hearing aids.
It’s not recommended to use cotton swabs to clean your ears. Earwax evacuates the ear canals on its own when we chew or speak. You can let some water run into your ears while showering, but make sure you give your ear canals some time to dry afterward before putting your hearing aids in. Never insert anything smaller than a towel into your ear canal.
If you spend a lot of time in humid climates, or sweat more profusely than others, it may be worth investing in a hearing aid dehumidifier, or dehumidifying charger (if you have rechargeable hearing aids). These devices remove moisture from your hearing aids overnight, so they’re clean & dry every morning when you put them in. They can extend the lifespan of your hearing aids significantly, and help you avoid some types of repairs.
Got Q's?
If you have questions about Oticon hearing devices, reach out to our friendly team to inquire. We aim to be a comprehensive hearing health care center, and will work tirelessly to meet your needs.