Hearing aids are inevitably in need of repair as a result of normal wear, tear, age, and use. While entirely replacing a hearing aid is one option, it’s almost always in an individual’s best interest to seek hearing aid repair service first and foremost. If an issue isn’t that elaborate, troubleshooting measures may even be conducted right at home on your own.
Common Repairs for Hearing Aids
A few of the many common fixes for hearing aids include
- replacing the battery,
- removing
- and reinserting the hearing aid,
- and even cleaning it.
Take it a step further by
- replacing the wax filter,
- and opening and closing the battery compartment.
After you’ve tried the troubleshooting techniques listed above, if you are still experiencing issues with your hearing aid, we encourage professional repair at Associated Hearing professionals for advanced hearing aid repair. We offer repair on most major manufacturer instruments.
There are several contributing factors involved in such a repair that will result in the time and cost it may take to have your hearing aid working correctly again. It may serve as beneficial to schedule an evaluation and weigh your repair options from there.
Cost of Hearing Aid Repair Under Warranty and Out of Warranty
The cost of a hearing aid repair can vary based on several contributing factors as mentioned above. The first major point to address is whether or not the hearing aid is still under warranty. If it is, then your repair cost may be small, or possibly free. Those that are no longer under warranty and require substantial repairs could come with a heftier fee.
The next item is whether or not the hearing aid is extensively damaged. If the repair needed is, in fact, substantial, it will cost more than a quick-fix issue. For example, a cracked case on a custom molded device can be quite costly for a full replacement, but may be less expensive for just a repair.
When a Hearing Aid is Beyond Repair
There are certain factors that may help you to know whether or not your hearing aid is beyond repair. A replacement may be inevitable if, you’ve had your hearing aid for more than five years. The general life expectancy for an average hearing aid is five to seven years. At this point, it’s recommended to opt for a replacement if you are experiencing technical issues.
Another reason your hearing aid may need to be replaced is the matter of extensive, visible damage. For example, if your hearing aid has been smashed or stepped on, it may be beyond repair.
The final reason that your hearing aid may not be repairable is if it has already been repaired multiple times in the past. In general, a history of repair tends to equate to a history of broken technology or habitual circumstances. To replace a repeatedly broken hearing aid may be better for you in the long run, as opposed to dealing with continuous, recurring reasons for repairs.
Preventative Measures With Daily Care for Hearing Aids
If you have hearing aids, you know that they require special measures of care in order to continue proper function. When you first receive your hearing aids, our audiologists will show you how to care for and check them regularly for optimal use. Perhaps you’ve obtained tools such as a battery tester, forced air blower, listening tube, and drying container to help with these measures of regular care.
First on the list of regular hearing aid maintenance is the listening check. To execute this exercise, make an effort to listen to the hearing aid daily through a listening tube. Doing so helps you to make sure that they sound clear, as opposed to scratchy or weak. You will learn how to listen for internal feedback as well as intermittency from your audiologist.
Next is the regular check of batteries, which generally last around one or two weeks. With a battery tester, you can assure that your hearing aids’ batteries are operating at full strength so that your hearing aids are working at peak performance as a result. It’s recommended that you always have a spare pair of batteries stored in a cool, dry place. Also, keep in mind that batteries are toxic and should be handled with care and disposed of properly, one at a time.
When you clean your hearing aids, use a soft, dry cloth. As you clean, be sure to check for dirt and grime. The earmolds can be removed and cleaned with a mild soap solution, too. Dry them with care using a forced air blower and not a hair dryer. Do not reattach the earmolds to the hearing aids until they are fully dry.
In order for your hearing aids to continue to function properly, be sure to minimize moisture in them. The hearing aid drying container can help with the prevention of moisture buildup inside of the hearing aids, and doing so will increase their lifespan considerably.
Always remember to remove the batteries before placing the hearing aids into the storage containers.
Last on the list of daily care is how to avoid ‘feedback’ with regards to hearing aids. This is the whistling sound that comes straight from the hearing aid as a result of amplified sound from the earmold that reenters the microphone. If you do hear this feedback, it may be a sign that the earmold is too small and needs to be replaced, or that there is too much earwax in the ear canal. If you begin to experience feedback, talk to the audiologist about it. While many individuals lean towards the immediate action of turning down the volume on the hearing aid, doing so will actively reduce the feedback, but it will also reduce your ability to hear the important sounds, as well.
Regularly scheduled audiology visits are important for thorough hearing tests to assure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids, as well as to check on the performance of the hearing aids in order to make any necessary adjustments. These appointments can make all the difference in the lifespan of your hearing aids as the audiologist is sure to catch and fix any budding issues before you may even know that they’re present.
Why Associated Hearing Professionals
The audiologists at Associated Hearing Professionals have over 70 years of hearing care experience in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area. We take pride in our staff and in offering the highest level of care for each and every patient.
Both of our audiologists have completed the rigorous educational requirements and experience to earn a certificate of clinical competence (Certificate of Clinical Competence – Audiology) from the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, which is the professional association for audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
Both of our audiologists are certified as a Fellow of American Academy of Audiology.
- Margaret Fritsch Juelich, AuD., CCC-A, FAAA
- Tina Daher McWhorter, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
“Associated Hearing Professionals have been meeting my needs for better hearing (thereby better living) since it opened. Margaret Juelich has been my Audiologist for at least 20 years and has constantly supplied me with the best hearing aids to meet my needs. She and her staff are very knowledgeable and make sure you are fitted with the best instruments to improve your hearing. I am very pleased with the service the give you and would never go anywhere else.” – Verdie B – Chesterfield, MO
*Disclaimer: Testimonials reflect an individual patient’s experience and may not depict the expected results for others.