Tag Archives: Hearing Specialist

picture of older man with hearing aids from platinum hearing aids in detroit
Audiologist Detroit

Troubleshooting Common Hearing Aid Issues

Hearing aids are an incredible tool that helps people with auditory issues amplify sound. While hearing aids are a “modern marvel,” there are still plenty of issues that people experience with their hearing aids. 

At Platinum Hearing Aids, we help people with hearing limitations regain their hearing by matching them with hearing aids that meet their unique needs. We also fix hearing aids that have become broken or defective. If you are experiencing issues with your hearing aids, we urge you to bring them to our Detroit audiologist’s office. That said, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot your hearing aid issues before you bring them in. Who knows, you might just be able to fix them yourself!

Continue reading to learn more about how to troubleshoot common hearing aid issues. 

Common Hearing Aid Issues

As a Detroit audiologist, there are a few key phrases that we hear when our clients bring in their hearing aids because of an issue. Those phrases are:

  • “My hearing aids are dead.”
  • “My hearing aids aren’t loud enough.”
  • “My hearing aids sound distorted.”
  • “My hearing aids are producing feedback.”

When our clients bring in their hearing aids because they are experiencing issues, they usually complain using one of the above phrases, or something resembling the above phrases. Luckily, all of the above issues are rather common — making troubleshooting slightly easier. 

“My Hearing Aids Aren’t Producing Sound”

When your hearing aids aren’t producing any sound, you’ll want to make sure that you do the following to troubleshoot any issue that might be occurring. 

  1. Visually examine the hearing aid to make sure that there is no earwax blocking the microphone opening.
  2. Make sure the hearing aid is turned on and the battery is properly placed inside the hearing aid. Also, check to make sure the battery door is secured shut. 
  3. Turn up the volume with your remote controller or directly on the hearing aid to make sure that it truly is not producing sound. 
  4. Replace your battery or use a battery tester to make sure that the batteries you have in are not dead. 
  5. Think about any way that you may have potentially damaged the hearing aid. Doing so might spark an idea of what else could be wrong. 
  6. If you can’t diagnose the issue and fix your hearing aid by yourself, consider bringing them to our Detroit office for repairs. 

My Hearing Aids Aren’t Loud Enough

Sometimes the audio in hearing aids can be damaged or wear out. That said, many times when people bring in their hearing aids because the sound is not loud enough, the solution is simple — turning them up. Below, we have listed the steps that you should take to troubleshoot any issues regarding the sound not being loud enough. 

  1. Examine your hearing aid to make sure that there isn’t ear wax or some sort of other debris blocking the microphone opening or the sound outlet. If you wear a behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid, inspect the tubing to make sure that there aren’t any cracks, blockages, or beads of moisture. 
  2. Turn up the volume directly on your hearing aids or with a remote. Consider turning the volume up and down a few times while listening to see if the volume is changing in reaction to your prompts. 
  3. Select a different program or memory on your hearing aid. It is always a possibility that you have accidentally switched to a different program than your usual one. 
  4. Consider whether or not your hearing may have changed. If it has been a long time since your last audiologist appointment, it might be worth going in for a hearing test to see if your hearing has changed since your last visit. 

My Hearing Aids Sound “Funny”

Last, but not least, it is not uncommon for people to call us and tell us that their hearing aids sound “funny.” This can range from people hearing feedback, to people’s hearing being distorted. If your hearing aids are sounding different than normal, consider doing the following:

  1. Visually inspect the batteries for corrosion. Take the battery out, inspect it, and replace it if it appears to be fine. 
  2. Switch over to a different program or memory to see if you have accidentally switched over to a channel with unfamiliar settings. 
  3. Have a friend or family member look at your ears. Do they seem clogged with earwax? If so, it might be time to schedule an appointment with your ear, nose, and throat specialist for an ear cleaning. 
  4. Have you lost a considerable amount of weight recently? If so, your hearing aids may not be fitting correctly — changing how you hear.
  5. Schedule an appointment with your Detroit audiologist if you are unable to troubleshoot any issues with your hearing.

Schedule An Appointment Today! If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, we urge you to schedule an appointment at our Detroit office. We would be more than happy to help you troubleshoot what is wrong with your hearing aids.

Audiologist Detroit

Wet Hearing Aids: What To Do

As an audiologist in Detroit, we have seen a thing or two when it comes to hearing aid issues. Among the common issues that our clients report to us, one of the most common hearing aid accidents involves exposure to water.

Because hearing aids are so fragile, not to mention expensive, it is important to act quickly when your hearing aids have been exposed to water. In most cases, a quick reaction can be the difference between saving your hearing aids and needing to have them fixed or replaced. Join us in today’s blog post as we discuss what you should do when your hearing aids come in contact with water. Continue reading to learn more.

Common Water-Related Accidents

As someone who wears hearing aids, it is more than likely that over time you become so used to wearing them that you might even temporarily forget that they are there. After all, they almost become an extension of your own ears. Because of this, it is not uncommon for people to forget that they have their hearing aids in when showering, swimming, or any other water-related activity. Additionally, sometimes accidents like spills happen, and your hearing aids might come in contact with water. Regardless of how your hearing aids might become exposed to water — and believe us when we say there are countless situations where this might happen — it is important to follow the following steps to ensure that your hearing aids are not damaged. 

Immediately After Exposure To Water

If you find yourself in a situation where your hearing aids are exposed to water, it is important that you try to dry them off immediately. The first thing that you should do when your hearing aids are compromised is to turn them off and remove the battery. The faster that you do so, the better chance you have at being able to save them from unnecessary repair or replacement. 

When a hearing aid is exposed to water, the battery can begin to corrode. And most hearing aids are not built to withstand corrosion. Removing the battery right away is the very first thing that you should do should they become wet. 

Remove & Throw Away Replaceable Parts

All hearing aids have replaceable parts that are designed to extend the lifetime of your hearing aid. Wax traps, tubing, and microphone covers are all removable and replaceable so that you can “update” your hearing aids when parts become older and worn. When your hearing aid becomes wet, it is critical that you remove and throw away these parts before they transfer water to the interior components of your hearing aid. 

Once you have removed any replaceable parts of your hearing aids, it is time to try and dry out the main structure of the hearing aid that houses potentially fragile components. 

Drying Your Hearing Aids

Since hearing aids were invented, water exposure has been a risk. Luckily, this means that there are tools out there that are specifically designed to help you dry out your hearing aid should they become damp or submerged in water for a short period of time. If you own hearing aids, we suggest that you invest in a hearing aid dehumidifier. Having one on hand could be the difference between your hearing aid being salvageable or not.

While hearing aid dehumidifiers exist, not all people own one or have one with them when their hearing aids become exposed. Because of this, you may need to fall back on the world’s most simple form of drying electronics — submerging them in rice for 24 hours. The rice should pull the water from within the hearing aid.

If Your Hearing Aids Still Don’t Work …

Sometimes, no matter what you try, your hearing aids won’t work after you have dried them out, replaced the battery, and replaced all removable parts. While hearing aid damage is often avoidable, sometimes the hearing aid is exposed to too much water and no household remedy will fix them. Luckily, you have a trustworthy Detroit audiologist that is here to help. 

If your hearing aids don’t work after you try to dry them out at home, we urge you to bring them to our Detroit office for repairs. In some cases, only certain components of the hearing aid will be damaged and simple part replacement can get them functional again. Other times, however, your hearing aids might need to be replaced entirely.

Visit Us At Platinum Hearing Aids

If your hearing aids have become damaged by water, we would love to take a look at them for you. Simply stop by our Detroit audiologist’s office to drop them off. Contact us today if you have any questions.