Hearing Aid Repair Questions

It’s amazing to think that your hearing aids do daily service for thousands and thousands of days! Today’s technology allows these devices to last longer than ever before. Even with good maintenance and care, there may be times when repairs may be necessary. Here are some common hearing aid repair questions.

What can I do at home?

Before you consider seeing your audiologist or sending your devices to the manufacturer, there are some troubleshooting tips that may help solve the problem. If you’ve checked the batteries, cleaned filters, and made adjustments and still have an issue, you should see your audiologist. Trying to fix more serious problems at home can ruin your hearing aids and increase repair costs substantially.

Can my audiologist make repairs?

It depends on what’s wrong with your hearing aids. The audiologist’s office can replace cracked tubing, fix battery covers, and do a thorough cleaning. But if the damage is more extensive, it’s likely the devices will have to go to the manufacturer for repair.

How much do manufacturer’s repairs cost?

There’s a wide range of answers to this question. First, if your hearing aids are less than two years old and still under warranty, repairs may cost very little or nothing at all. If your hearing aids are older and you have an extended warranty, your costs likely will be low. If the damage is extensive then repair costs may rival the cost of new hearing aids. On average, for most common repairs, expect to pay about $300-600 dollars if your units are out of warranty. The manufacturer will always quote a price to you prior to making repairs.

How long do manufacturer’s repairs take?

Because your hearing aids are so important to daily life, manufacturers make every effort to get your hearing aids back to you as soon as possible. Usually, it takes about a week or so for repairs. During that time, your audiologist may offer you a “loaner” to help get you through.

Does the age of my hearing aids matter?

The simple answer is yes. The older your units are, the harder it may be to find replacement parts. Sometimes older hearing aids can be repaired using refurbished parts, but remember, those parts are just as old as your devices. With advancing technology, new hearing aids may have options available that can significantly improve your hearing health. In that case, putting money toward new units rather than repairs may be worthwhile. Generally speaking, if your hearing aids are more than five years old, you may want to consider replacement versus repair. Your audiologist can help you make the decision based on your hearing loss, your budget and your lifestyle.

These hearing aid repair questions may help you determine your best course of action concerning your devices. Unless your hearing aids suffered serious damage, it shouldn’t take long for repairs to be made. It’s always best to contact your audiologist with any questions you may have.