Like any other device, your hearing aids may occasionally require repairs to keep them working well. However, by properly caring for them, you can help avoid many of the more common issues that can cause damage.
Protect Your Hearing Aids 
One of the most important things you can do is develop a maintenance plan for your hearing aids that involves a daily cleaning schedule and regular trips to your audiologist for checkups.
Most hearing aid users wear their hearing aids all day every day during waking hours. That is 16 hours of your device being exposed to earwax, moisture, humidity and other elements every single day. In order to counteract the effects of this exposure, you should clean your hearing aids every day. Wiping them off with a dry, soft cloth after you take them out at night should go a long way in preventing buildup.
You should also schedule regular checkups every six months to a year with your hearing aid expert. In the same way, you take your car into John’s Automotive Care for regular tune-ups, it’s important to get your hearing aids checked out as well. Your hearing aid expert can make needed adjustments and see if repairs or replacements are necessary.
Common Hearing Aid Repairs
Despite your best efforts, it is possible that your hearing aids will need repairs at some point. A few of the most common issues and repairs are:
- Moisture damage. Moisture and humidity can negatively affect sound quality, shorten the lifespan of your device or cause it to stop working altogether.
- Broken tubing. If you use a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, your tubing can bend, break and degrade over time. Problems with tubing can cause the sound to not travel properly into your ear.
- Damaged or broken microphone. If your microphone is damaged, the sound coming from your hearing aids will likely be weaker than normal. It’s possible that it may just need an adjustment from your audiologist, or that debris is blocking sound from entering the microphone. However, if the actual microphone is damaged, it will need to be repaired or replaced for your hearing aid to keep working effectively.
It Might Be Time for an Upgrade
You can keep your hearing aids working well for some time if you keep them clean and check in with your audiologist about any concerns. Likewise, many of the most common issues can be easily repaired by a professional. Sometimes though, the best option is to upgrade your device.
Just like smartphones, hearing aid technology is advancing at a rapid pace. If your hearing aids are several years old, you might be missing out on the benefits of these technological advancements. Talk with your audiologist about your options and figure out if an upgrade is the best choice for your hearing health.
To learn more about hearing aid options or to schedule an appointment with a hearing professional, contact San Diego Hearing Center today.