According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), about 38 million people in the United States have untreated hearing loss. Going untreated can lead to a slew of long-term issues that lower your quality of life. When you invest in the best set of hearing aids, it may prove to be very helpful. It vastly improves your way of life and the way you go about your business. Knowing what typical problems you may encounter with a hearing aid and how to address them might spare you from having to go to a hearing aid repair shop right away.

Types of Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is built to contain a battery, processor, microphone and receiver and is usually custom-made. Knowing how they work, where the battery is and other features are can help you. The three main types of hearing aids are in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC), as outlined below.

  • ITE hearing aids: ITE hearing aids are made to sit within the ear, filling the outer bowl. It is known to be one of the bigger options available.
  • BTE hearing aids: Sit behind or on top of the outer ear and not block the ear canal opening. The tubing connects with the earmold or soft tip into the ear.
  • ITC hearing aids: Sit inside the canal. Like the ITE, they have longer battery lives with more features.

Common Hearing Aid Problems

When problems happen, you don't necessarily have to take them in to get them repaired. It is feasible to troubleshoot the situation at home and potentially fix them until it is necessary to take them to your audiologist. They will either repair the device, replace it or give you another hearing test if necessary.

Replacing The Battery

Depending on the hearing aid you use, batteries can be changed or charged. When the device's sound becomes distorted or disappears, it might be due to a faulty battery. The battery may have been harmed by dampness, necessitating a replacement. Make sure to install them correctly to produce sound before closing the door. 

Adjusting Controls 

The most common difficulties caused by controls that need to be readjusted include different factors. These can look like no sounds, volume controls that are lower or higher than they should be and feedback generation. You'd have to tweak the volume control or the software that's most suited to your device. If any issues persist, remove the hearing aid and re-insert it into your ear or switch it on and off.

Cleaning Them

A dirty or corroded hearing aid might cause your device to become damaged, lose sound, change the volume, emit feedback and make odd noises. The most typical issue is that the receiver, tubing or microphone is clogged with earwax. For best use, you must clean both your ears and the device frequently. If the battery contacts are slightly corroded, they should be cleaned up as well.