Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Tips

Hearing aids require care to ensure that they work properly.  If you notice a problem, here are a few tips on how to troubleshoot problems with your hearing aid.

THE HEARING AID APPEARS TO BE DEAD OR WEAK

Reason #1

  • Cause: Dead, weak, or wrong type of battery.
  • Test: Substitute new battery.
  • Remedy: Battery replaced.

Reason #2

  • Cause: Battery reversed in battery compartment so that the (+) terminal is where the (–) terminal should be.
  • Test: Take the battery out, turn it over and re-insert the battery.
  • Remedy: Battery inserted correctly.

Reason #3

  • Cause: The earmold is plugged with wax or water.  Detach the earmold (behind the ear hearing aid only), from the hearing aid to perform the next step.
  • Test: Blow through the earmold to see if there is air passage.
  • Remedy: Use water and/or air pressure to clean the earmold tubing.

Reason #4

  • Cause: On/Off switch is in the OFF position or Mic-Telephone switch is in the Telephone (telecoil) position.
  • Test: Examine the switch.
  • Remedy: Switch placed in the correct position.

Reason #5

  • Cause: Blocked receiver port (where the sound comes out).
  • Test: Examine
  • Remedy: Replace the wax guard and/or brush over receiver port.

Reason #6

  • Cause: Blocked microphone port.
  • Test: Examine; may hear a shushing noise but no amplified sound.
  • Remedy: Replace microphone screen and/or brush over mic port

THE HEARING AID WORKS INTERMITTENTLY OR FADES

  • Cause: All of the above, plus the tubing has collapsed (again this only applies to behind the ear hearing aids).
  • Test: Examine tubing for crimping.
  • Remedy: Have tubing replaced.

THE HEARING AID WHISTLES OR SQUEALS

Reason #1

  • Cause: Earmold/aid too small or not properly seated in the ear
  • Test: Push earmold/aid firmly in ear to see if feedback ceases.
  • Remedy: Replace earmold or have aid re-cased.

Reason #2

  • Cause: Crack in tubing or air leak between earmold and tone hook.
  • Test: Remove earmold and see if feedback ceases if finger is placed over the sound outlet (end of the tone hook).
  • Remedy: Have tubing replaced.

Reason #3

  • Cause: Crack in tone hook
  • Test: Remove earmold and see if feedback continues even if your finger is placed over the end of the tone hook.
  • Remedy: Have tone hook replaced.

Reason #4

  • Cause: Volume control/gain is turned up too high for type of earmold or style of hearing aid.
  • Test: Reduce volume to see if feedback disappears at a lower level.
  • Remedy: Turn down volume or see the audiologist to have the aid re-programmed or vent size adjusted.

Reason #5

  • Cause: Excessive ear wax in the ear canal.
  • Test: Otoscopic inspection by hearing healthcare provider.
  • Remedy: Have your earwax removed.

THE SOUND IS DISTORTED

Reason #1

  • Cause: Dirty or corroded battery
  • Test: Wipe surfaces of the battery with a clean cloth
  • Remedy: Battery replaced.

Reason #2

  • Cause: Hearing aid switched to telecoil
  • Test:  Examine switch
  • Remedy: Place switch in the correct position.

If your hearing aid still does not work properly after checking the possible causes and solutions listed, please contact our office. For any problems not listed here, or if the problem persists, please contact our office. Hearing instruments are advanced electronic devices — never attempt to repair them yourself. Doing so may cause further damage and void any warranties.