What are the Most Common Hearing Aid Repairs?

Just like any other advanced piece of equipment, hearing aids require care and maintenance for them to continue working correctly. The good news is that your audiologist is the perfect person to provide advice, guidance and do repairs on hearing aids of all types. They can even give you a spare to keep you going if your device has to be sent back to the manufacturer. Read all about the hearing aid care and the most common types of repairs you may encounter below.

Check Your Hearing Aid at Home

Before we get into the professional repairs that your audiologist can provide, it’s worth doing a quick check of your hearing aid device at home. This should include checking that your hearing aid is one and at the correct volume for use. If this doesn’t improve things, replacing the battery in your hearing aid can be all that is needed to restore function.

However, if these two at home checks don’t bring the desired results your aid is likely experiencing one of the following issues that need to be repaired by an audiologist. Read on to find out more about each one.

Due to Sound Issues

The first, and probably most common repair that is often performed on hearing aids is fixing a broken microphone. A broken microphone will result in issues with volume or sound quality that will impact the efficacy of the device.

As hearing aid microphones are both very small and complex devices, you must get them repaired by an audiologist. Indeed, sometimes, your audiologist may not have the skills, tools or parts to repair them, but they will be able to get you a new one directly from the manufacturer.

Due to Moisture Getting into a Hearing Aid

Electrical devices and moisture, as a rule, don’t play well together, and this is certainly true for hearing aids. Indeed, unless your hearing aid is certified waterproof you must keep your aids away from moisture where at all possible, including when swimming, bathing and washing.

If you do find yourself in the position where your hearing aid has taken on moisture then there are two solutions to consider, both of which involve a visit to the audiologist. The first is in the case of minor moisture issues such as a hearing tube being damaged. In this case, your audiologist will be able to repair your device and have it working properly again in no time.

The second is more extensive moisture damage, something that occurs when liquid penetrates deeper into the device, impacting the electrics inside. In this case, your audiologist may be able to perform repairs, or they may need to send your hearing aid back to the manufacturer to be fixed instead.

Due to Problems with the Tubing

With behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, there is tubing that attaches the earmold to the device. This tubing can often stretch, crack or lose flexibility, meaning it needs to be replaced. The good news is that your audiologist can do this for you, simply and quickly.

Due to the earmold degrading

In hearing aid types like in-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are used to house the device and position it in the ear. These are known as earmolds and need to be custom made for each individual to fit and work correctly.

Unfortunately, over time earmolds can experience wear and change shape, something that means they no longer fit correctly in the ear, and can cause discomfort and increase the chance of losing your device. However, your audiologist can take care of your ear to create a new and better fitting earmold for you to improve this issue.

Due to Damage to the Ear Hook

Last of all, one of the most frequent types of hearing aid repair is due to damage to the ear hook. Some aids have hooks that allow them to sit comfortably in place, but they tend to be delicate and prone to breakage. Fortunately replacing an ear hook is a job that your audiologist can do easily.

Contact Arkansas Professional Hearing Care for all Your Hearing Aid Repair Needs

If you are experiencing problems with your hearing aid, or it’s not working as it should, then our experienced and professional audiologist can help. Indeed, here at Arkansas Professional Hearing Care, we are set up to make fast, on the spot repairs to most devices. Although, if we can’t well make sure that you get the best service possible from the manufacturer while we supply you with a spare in the meantime.

Call, Arkansas Professional Hearing Care at (501) 588-0177 today for all your hearing care needs.