Hearing aids spend so much time in a sterile environment that they can easily be damaged by everyday wear and tear. Maintaining a routine cleaning regimen helps, but sometimes internal issues arise that need professional attention through hearing aids repairs Adelaide.
Often, these problems can be fixed with simple things like changing the batteries or a thorough cleaning. However, some require more extensive repair services.
Why Hire a Professional?
Investing in hearing aids can have an immense impact on your quality of life. Being able to hear chirping birds, the richness of music, and the sound of children’s laughter can give you back a sense of connection with the world around you. However, hearing aids are not indestructible devices, and they will need repairs at some point. Whether it’s due to wear and tear or exposure to moisture, even the best of devices can have problems.
The good news is that many of the common issues with hearing aids are easily remedied by a professional. Often, it is simply a matter of cleaning, making sure the device hasn’t been dropped or accidentally exposed to moisture and that the battery has not run out. Other times, a little more extensive work may be required. For example, if the device is constantly producing a whistling sound, it could indicate that the ear canal has become blocked by wax or there is an internal issue.
Depending on the nature of the problem, the cost of hearing aid repairs can vary significantly. If your device is still under warranty, the repair process may be free of charge – and the only out-of-pocket costs you will incur might be related to the purchase of new parts. For example, a cracked shell on a custom-molded hearing aid can be expensive to replace.
Damaged Earpieces
If one earpiece has no sound, it may be a sign of broken wires. Try to determine if the issue is caused by a short in the earpiece or jack, and then fix it. If the earpiece is damaged, it’s time to take it to a professional for hearing aids repairs Adelaide or replacement.
If you want to try to fix them yourself, first strip the wires using a pair of wire strippers. Sort them by colour, and then find the wire for the right earpiece and the left earpiece, as well as the ground wire (or wires). If you have multiple ground wires, you should twist them together so they’re not touching each other.
Dead Batteries
Modern hearing aids are built to withstand exposure to the elements and daily wear. However, even the best-made devices can break down or experience issues that require repairs.
One of the most common problems is a dead battery. It’s important to change batteries regularly and remove them from the device when not in use to extend their life. You’ll know it’s time to replace your battery when you hear the pre-warning beeps. These beeps occur at brief intervals before the battery completely drains. Once the battery is dead, you’ll hear four beeps, and the device will turn off.
It’s also important to store batteries properly and keep them out of the reach of children. Button batteries can be dangerous and should be disposed of properly by following local regulations. They contain Mercury and should not be tossed in with regular garbage.
Another common hearing aid repair is replacing broken tubing. Hearing aids have tubing that connects the piece that sits behind the ear to the piece that sits in the ear canal. If the tubing becomes damaged, it can’t carry sound effectively and can impact your hearing.
It’s always worth a try to go for hearing aids repairs Adelaide if it has damage that you can see. However, if your hearing aid has had many previous repairs and has extensive damage, it may make more sense to invest in a new pair of devices.
Whistling Sound
The whistling sound is one of the most common hearing aid problems, and it cannot be easy to diagnose. The good news is that it doesn’t always mean your device is broken, but it can be a sign of a few things.
Whistling sounds usually indicate that your hearing aid is too large for your ear or not turned on. The first thing you should try is swapping out the battery to see if this fixes your problem. If this doesn’t work, then you may have a more serious issue that needs to be fixed by a hearing health professional.