Hearing aids are great devices that help people suffering from hearing loss hear better and live happier, more fulfilling lives. However, like all pieces of technology, hearing aids can – and likely will – malfunction from time to time. Common symptoms of haywire hearing aids include:

  • No sound
  • Low sounds
  • Intermittent sound
  • Feedback, such as static or whistling

If your hearing aids have one of the aforementioned problems, consider trying some easy at-home troubleshooting tricks before contacting your audiologist. Attempting to solve the issue at home first can help save you time and money in the long run.

Common troubleshooting tips

If your hearing aids aren’t functioning as they should, consider the following steps before calling a hearing healthcare professional or repair shop:

  • Check the on/off switch: Believe it or not, but sometimes the only problem with a hearing aid is that it is turned off. Sometimes fumbling fingers can accidentally turn a hearing aid off, causing those wearing them to believe they have stopped emitting sound.
  • Check the volume: Just like with the on/off switch or button, sometimes the volume control can be bumped up or down. If the volume is not at the appropriate level, the hearing aid may produce little sound (low volume) or emit feedback, such as whistling (high volume).
  • Check the battery: Battery position and level are important components to properly working hearing aids. If batteries are dislodged or inserted incorrectly, the hearing aids may produce low or intermittent sound. Make sure to test the strength of the batteries as well. Batteries that are nearly dead will produce low or intermittent sounds.
  • Check the tubing: If you wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, make sure to check the tubing. After a long time, the tubing can endure some wear and tear. This damage can cause feedback and other sound interferences.

Seeking professional help

If none of the troubleshooting tips fix the hearing aid, it is important to call your audiologist. They will be able to determine what is wrong with the hearing aid. Once diagnosing the issue, your audiologist will also determine whether to repair the aids or replace them altogether. Hearing aids that are older than five years or damaged severely may require replacement, while newer devices with easier fixes may be repaired in the office!