When technology stops working properly, that’s when we usually notice it the most. With hearing aids that’s especially true: To the majority of people who wear them, hearing aids are more than just a piece of technology; they’re a crucial lifeline to the rest of the world.

So identifying solutions for a malfunctioning hearing aid, and discovering those solutions as quickly as possible, is vital for both physiological and emotional reasons. Whether you’ve been wearing your hearing aids for a week, a year, or decades, troubleshooting can be a high-stakes, troublesome process. But if you want to get your hearing aid working properly again there are some simple measures you can take.

Before Trouble Occurs Take Preventative Measures

Any advanced piece of technology involves upkeep, and hearing aids are no exception. Despite the fact that the casing might appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be amazingly sophisticated.

Which means maintenance is essential. There are a few straight forward ways you can make sure that your hearing aid is taken care of while you’re wearing them.

Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean is a Must

Your ears naturally and normally generate a certain amount of wax every day. And, the ear wax is, to a certain degree good for your ears. But it’s not so great for your hearing aids. To help improve the longevity of your device keep your hearing aids clean and clear of wax. In fact, a built-in wax filter comes standard with most hearing aids that should also be periodically cleaned.

Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry

Electronics and moisture don’t mix. And in spite of the best protection technology can produce, consistent exposure to moisture can eventually wear out the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.

This means that you shouldn’t use your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming. Additionally, if your hearing aids do become wet, towel-dry them; heat from a hairdryer, for example, can damage your hearing aids.

Schedule Time With Professional Cleaners

Hearing aids require specialized cleaning as they are delicate, expensive technology. Even if you’re fairly thorough about your own cleaning routines, there are just some things that can be better achieved by a specialized cleaner.

Every 4-6 months is the suggested time between cleanings.

How to Troubleshoot Existing Issues

Even if your hearing aids are currently working, you will still be required to take protective steps. You’re most likely more interested in quick fixes if your experiencing issues with your hearing aids not working anymore.

If your hearing aids aren’t functioning correctly, try one of the following steps:

• Examine your hearing aids for blemishes, cracks or other visible signs of damage. Such damage could indicate the hearing aid needs to be repaired.
• Inspect your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. Gently wipe away any debris or wax you may find.
• Toggle between programs or change the settings. How you respond will depend on the model because they’re all different in this respect.
• Reboot the device (turn it off and turn it back on). In certain cases, this will correct the issue.
• Look inside the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. Any extensive damage will need to be repaired by a professional but you can attempt to clean off any corrosion you discover.
• Change out your power source or battery, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
• Adjust the volume. There will be either a volume wheel on the hearing aid or a remote you can use for this. Try to do both if you have both features with your hearing aid.
• Examine your own ears. It’s possible that earwax buildup in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.

It’s likely that you will have to have the device fixed professionally if you want it back to original condition if none of these steps help.

What if Nothing I Try Works?

You will likely have two options if you’ve tried to troubleshoot your hearing aid and it still doesn’t work: either send the hearing aids in for service or buy a new set of hearing aids. Which option works best for you will vary depending on your circumstances, how old your hearing aids are, and other factors.

If your hearing aids aren’t working properly right now, take the time to do some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t help, you can move on to the next steps, including a conversation with your hearing specialist to find a remedy. To find a solution make your appointment right away.