Hearing aids are delicate, expensive, and they contain very sensitive and sophisticated electronics. Use extreme care when cleaning and inspecting your hearing aid. Here's a quick reference for problems you may encounter;
| No Sound/ Dead |
Battery |
Correct battery? Is the battery turned upside down? Is the hearing aid battery weak? Is the battery door not completely closed? |
Blocked Passage |
Check the canal end of the hearing aid, is it blocked with wax? |
Switch |
Check the switch position, 'M' (microphone), 'T' (telephone), and 'O' (off). |
Volume |
Is the dial working properly, is it turned up? |
Connections |
If a body worn aid, are the cords properly connected? |
Weak or Intermittent Sound |
Battery |
Is the battery old, weak, or corroded? Are the battery contacts clean? Is there a moisture buildup? Is the battery cold? (allow it to warm up to room temperature) |
Earmold |
Is wax causing a blockage? Is the earmold tubing damaged, frayed, or blocked with wax or moisture? |
Whistling Sounds (feedback) |
Earmold Fit |
Is the earmold not 'seated' properly in the ear? Remove the aid and put a finger over the hole of the earmolds. If the whistling stops it was not properly inserted in the ear or is not a good fit. |
Volume |
Is it set too high? |
Earwax |
Is there excess wax in your ears? (see physician) |
Damaged Aid |
Is the case to your hearing aid cracked? This or other internal damage will require factory repair. |
Other Objects |
Are you wearing a scarf or hat that can deflect sound causing feedback? |
Recent Cold |
Have you had a cold or some other condition recently that may be causing a stiff eardrum? |
Buzzing Sound |
Battery |
Is the hearing aid battery weak and needs replacing? |
'T' Switch |
Is the aid in the 'T' position? |
Scratchy Sounds |
Battery |
Is the battery old, weak, or corroded? Are the contact points clean? |
Volume Wheel |
Is the wheel dirty and needs servicing? Does the scratchy sound occur as you turn the volume wheel? Has dust or lint collected in the controls? |
Low Volume & Poor Sound |
Volume Control |
Is it turned up or the control needs servicing? |
Battery |
Is the battery weak? |
Earmold |
Is it loose, plugged, or not seated properly? |
Hearing Change |
Is it time for a hearing checkup? |
Short Battery Life |
Battery |
Is the battery exposed to excess heat or moisture? Is it left in the hearing aid at night? Is short battery life related to excess feedback problems that will shorten a batteries life? See Battery Do's & Don'ts. |
Aid Doesn't Work with Telephones |
'T' Switch |
Is the hearing aid set to the 'T' position?. |
Positioning |
Is the telephone earpiece centered over the aid?, Smaller aids without 'T' switches should be held close but not touching the aid. Adjustments to the aid may be required. |
