Troubleshooting Hearing Aids
Sometimes your hearing aids may stop working unexpectedly. Usually, you will be able to restore hearing aid function by following these basic troubleshooting techniques.
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) devices
- Replace the batteries. After replacing the batteries, check to see if the hearing aids are working by either checking for feedback by cupping the aids in your hand or by listening through the hearing aids.
- Check the domes and wax guards for blockage. If debris is present, then sound cannot leave the receiver. Remove this debris by brushing the domes with a brush and replacing the wax filter
Behind-the-ear (BTE) thin tube open-fit devices
- Replace the batteries. After replacing the batteries, check to see if the hearing aids are working by either checking for feedback by cupping the aids in your hand or by listening through the hearing aids.
- Check the domes or custom ear molds and tubing for blockage. If debris is stuck in the tubing, you can use a thin wire to clean the tubing. If your hearing aids are fit with domes, start by removing the domes from the tubing. If you have custom ear molds, it is not necessary to remove the ear molds. Remove the tubing from the hearing aids. Some tubing can be snapped off, while others need to be screwed off. Slowly push the plastic wire provided by your audiologist through the entire tube. This should remove any debris inside. Snap or screw the tubing back onto the hearing aids and push the domes back onto the tubing.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Replace the batteries. After replacing the batteries, check to see if the hearing aids are working by either checking for feedback by cupping the aids in your hand or by listening through the hearing aids.
- Check the tubing for moisture blockage. If there is moisture in the tubing, then sound cannot leave the sound opening of the ear mold. If you see moisture in the tubing, gently flick the ear molds to force the moisture out of the tubing.
- Examine the sound openings for blockage. If wax blockage is present, brush these openings with a brush until debris has been removed. If you cannot clear the sound opening or tubing of debris, you will have to deep clean the ear mold in a cup of warm water with mild dish soap. First, separate the ear mold from the hearing aids by pinching the soft tubing with one hand and the hard ear hook with the other hand. Twist and pull the tubing from the ear hook. Soak the ear molds in a glass of soapy warm water for 10 minutes. DO NOT soak the hearing aids, only the ear molds. Remove and dry the ear molds completely with a towel. Use a forced air blower to force excess water from the tubing and vent of the ear molds. Once the ear molds are completely dry, attach the tubing to the hearing aid. Twist the tubing to orient the ear molds so that the wing of the ear mold, opposite the sound opening, is toward the hearing aids.
In-the-ear (ITE) devices
- Replace the batteries. After replacing the batteries, check to see if the hearing aids are working by either checking for feedback by cupping the aids in your hand or by listening through the hearing aids.
- Check wax filters for blockage. If debris is present, then sound cannot leave the receiver. Remove this debris by brushing the domes with a brush and replacing the wax filter.
Disposable Battery Tips
Battery life varies depending on the size of the battery and the amount of current energy draw required by the hearing aid, which varies depending on a person’s individual hearing loss.
Turn OFF your hearing aid(s) by opening the battery door(s).
You may either:
Start a replacement cycle and anticipate when your battery will become low. Preventatively replace the battery before it goes dead (i.e. change the battery every Sunday morning).
Wait until you hear the low battery warning. At that time, change the battery.
- It may be helpful to put the sticker tab that is removed to activate the battery on your calendar to track battery use.
- Do NOT refrigerate your batteries but DO store them in a cool, dry place.
- Remove the sticker tab and allow your batteries to fully power up. Hearing aid batteries are a zinc-air battery which means the charge does not begin until the sticker tab is removed from the face of the battery, allowing air to enter through tiny openings. Never remove the tab until the battery is going to be inserted into the hearing aid. Allow your batteries to sit outside of the hearing aid for a full minute before you insert them. This will allow the batteries to charge fully and give you the longest possible battery life.
- Insert your battery correctly. There is a “positive” and a “negative” polarity and the battery must be positioned correctly to coincide with the electrical contacts in the hearing aid. If the battery door does not close easily, this is often a sign that the battery is in backwards.