Why is my hearing aid not working?
There are many reasons your hearing aid may not be working. One reason might be problems with the battery.
There can be a number of causes for a malfunctioning hearing aid. However, not all of these reasons warrant a drive to your hearing healthcare professional. There are some simple steps that should be taken first since the problem may only require a simple fix that you can do at home.
- Check your hearing aid battery
- If you have a battery tester, check your battery to make sure it is not dead. If it is, simply replace the battery with a fresh one and see if your hearing aid will function.
- Make sure your hearing aid is not plugged with debris
- If your hearing aid is plugged with foreign debris like wax, the sound may not be able to come out of the hearing aid. You can use your cleaning tools or a soft bristled toothbrush to make sure your microphones and earpiece remain a clear pathway for sound.
- Reset your hearing aid
- Turn your hearing aid off and then back on again (with the on/off switch or by opening and closing the battery door once). This restarts the hearing aid. Check to see if your aid is now functioning.
If these tips did not fix your hearing aid, you can take it in to your hearing healthcare professional for a hearing aid check. Your hearing aids will be thoroughly cleaned and examined. If they cannot be fixed in-office, they may need to be sent off to the manufacturer for repair. It is normal for tubing, earpieces, microphones or receivers to have to be replaced occasionally.
What should I do if my hearing aid is broken?
If your hearing aid is cracked or broken, take all retrievable pieces to your hearing healthcare professional. He or she can determine whether or not the aid can be fixed in the office or if it is necessary to send the aid off to the manufacturer. Each hearing aid comes with a warranty that covers repairs and loss and damage. The extent and regulations of the warranty will vary by office and manufacturer.
How do I clean my hearing aid?
In order to keep your hearing aids functioning properly, it is important to clean them regularly. Some hearing aid wearers like to clean their aids every night after they take them off. The hearing aid needs to be free of all debris such as dirt, skin and wax to provide the best benefit for you.
When your hearing healthcare professional fit you with your hearing aids, you may have received a cleaning tool and a cleaning cloth. The cleaning tool may have a small brush on one end (if you do not have one, a soft bristled toothbrush will work as well). Brush off the body of the hearing aid, paying special attention to the microphones and vents or holes. Once the aid is clear of debris, wipe it off with a dry cloth. Do not get your hearing aids wet at any time. To clean your hearing aids, DO NOT use a damp cloth to wipe them down.
If you are wearing a behind-the-ear hearing aid, you should have your tubing replaced about every three months, sooner if you noticed it has hardened or cracked.
How do I install batteries into my hearing aid?
The hearing battery easily inserts into the device.
Most hearing aids now use Zinc-Air batteries. These batteries can be purchased at most drug stores or hearing aid offices. Zinc- Air batteries come in different sizes, and each size corresponds with a specific color. There are many different manufacturers that offer hearing aid batteries and each may have a slight variation in their battery number, i.e.; 10A or 10As, but as long as you always pick the correct color, the batteries should work in your hearing aid.
Size 5 red
Size 10 yellow
Size 312 brown
Size 13 orange
Size 675 blue
It is important to remember not to take the color sticker off of your hearing aid battery until you are ready to use it. Zinc-Air batteries are activated by air, so once the sticker is off, the battery starts to run down. However, if you are ready to insert a new battery, pull the sticker off of the new battery. Open up the battery door and remove the dead battery.
*When disposing of batteries, keep in mind that they are toxic and need to be disposed of out of reach of children and pets. The hearing aid battery will have a smooth shiny side with a plus sign on it and a side with a ridge. The ridged side of the battery should be placed in the side of the battery door that is enclosed or has a lip. The battery must be placed in the hearing aid battery door the correct way or the door will not close properly. If you cannot close your battery door, take the battery out and try again.
Hearing aid batteries do have an expiration date that is stamped on the packaging.
How long is my hearing aid battery expected to last?
Battery life depends on the size of the battery, the size of hearing aid, how long the hearing aid is worn per day, and the amount of power being pushed out of the hearing aid. Battery life will also vary across hearing aid manufacturers and can range anywhere from 5 to 14 days.
