Troubleshooting Tips for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids require care to ensure that they work properly.  If you notice a problem, here are a few tips on how to troubleshoot problems with your hearing aid.

The hearing aid appears to be dead or weak

Reason #1

• Cause: Dead, weak, or wrong type of battery.
• Test: Substitute new battery.
• Remedy: Battery replaced.

Reason #2

• Cause: Battery reversed in battery compartment so that the (+) terminal is where the (–) terminal should be.
• Test: Take the battery out, turn it over and re-insert the battery.
• Remedy: Battery inserted correctly.

Reason #3

• Cause: The earmold (behind the ear hearing aid only, should be detached from the behind the ear hearing aid to perform the next step plugged with wax or water.
• Test: Blow through the earmold to see if there is air passage.
• Remedy: Use water and/or air pressure to clean the earmold tubing.

Reason #4

• Cause: On/Off switch is in the OFF position or Mic-Telephone switch is in the Telephone (telecoil) position.
• Test: Examine the switch.
• Remedy: Switch placed in the correct position.

Reason #5

• Cause: Blocked receiver port (where the sound comes out).
• Test: Examine
• Remedy: Replace the wax guard and/or brush over receiver port.

Reason #6

• Cause: Blocked microphone port.
• Test: Examine; may hear a shushing noise but no amplified sound.
• Remedy: Replace microphone screen and/or brush over mic port

The hearing aid works intermittently or fades.

• Cause: All of the above, plus the tubing has collapsed (again this only applies to behind the ear hearing aids).
• Test: Examine tubing for crimping.
• Remedy: Have tubing replaced.

The hearing aid whistles or squeals

Reason #1

• Cause: Earmold/aid too small or not properly seated in the ear
• Test: Push earmold/aid firmly in ear to see if feedback ceases.
• Remedy: Replace earmold or have aid re-cased.

Reason #2

• Cause: Crack in tubing or air leak between earmold and tone hook.
• Test: Remove earmold and see if feedback ceases if finger is placed over the sound outlet (end of the tone hook).
• Remedy: Have tubing replaced.

Reason #3

• Cause: Crack in tone hook
• Test: Remove earmold and see if feedback continues even if your finger is placed over the end of the tone hook.
• Remedy: Have tone hook replaced.

Reason #4

• Cause: Volume control/gain is turned up too high for type of earmold or style of hearing aid.
• Test: Reduce volume to see if feedback disappears at a lower level.
• Remedy: Turn down volume or see the audiologist to have the aid re-programmed or vent size adjusted.

Reason #5

• Cause: Excessive ear wax in the ear canal.
• Test: Otoscopic inspection by audiologist.
• Remedy: Have your earwax removed.

The sound is distorted

Reason #1

• Cause: Dirty or corroded battery
• Test: Wipe surfaces of the battery with a clean cloth
• Remedy: Battery replaced.

Reason #2

• Cause: Hearing aid switched to telecoil
• Test:  Examine
• Remedy: Clean sound outlet or change wax filter

If your hearing aid still does not work properly after checking the possible causes and solutions listed, please contact our office (617-332-7244). For any problems not listed here, or if the problem persists, please contact our office. Hearing instruments are advanced electronic devices — never attempt to repair them yourself. Doing so may cause further damage and void any warranties.