A Step-by-Step Guide to DIY Hearing Aid Repairs

Although they are always being designed to be more reliable, sturdier and longer-lasting than the previous generations, hearing aids are made of some sophisticated technology and, as such, they can be prone to malfunction or wear and tear. If you’re experiencing any issues with your hearing aids, your hearing health professional might be the best source for help, but there are some do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs you can try, too.

Make Sure It’s Not a Battery Issue

Hearing aids are battery-powered devices so, if there are any issues with your batteries, this is going to manifest as an issue with your hearing aids, as well. The way that sound is amplified through your hearing aids might sound strange if the battery is low. Even if you haven’t used the battery a lot, if it has been left out in the open air with the activation tab removed, it has already started to drain, and if left for long enough, is going to have little-to-no power left. Make sure that you change for a fresh, new battery to see if that fixes any issues, and make sure to learn about effective battery care to keep yours lasting for longer if that is the problem.

Adjust It to Deal with Feedback

There is a very common issue that hearing aid can produce is feedback. This can sound like a high-pitched whistling or screeching noise, and it typically occurs because the microphone is picking up the audio that is emitted from the speaker, creating a feedback loop of exponentially louder noise. This typically happens due to a positional issue. Your hearing aids might not be resting in your ear properly, or the microphone might be out of position, which puts it closer to the speaker than it’s supposed to be. Lowering the volume or adjusting the amplification may help with this but, otherwise, a hearing health professional can help find and fix the source of that feedback.

Clean the Device Thoroughly

When wearing hearing aids, you should be trying to clean them regularly. Dirt, dust, earwax and other particulates can build up on the device and, if allowed to build up enough, this can cause different issues. A hearing aid cleaning kit should provide you with everything you need to wipe the surface of the device, hook off any earwax and clean components like the microphone, receiver ports and tubing. Make sure that you are not using water, alcohol or any other cleaning agents when you are cleaning your hearing aid. Dry wipes alone are enough, as moisture can end up causing more damage, rather than fixing it.

If you have trouble getting your hearing aids to work as expected, don’t hesitate to call your hearing health professional. They’re trained to make a wide range of repairs there on the spot, and if that doesn’t work, they may be able to provide a replacement while getting yours fixed by the manufacturer.