When Should You Repair or Replace Your Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are small electronic devices. They are the same as mini computers and just as complex. They have circuitry, a microphone, wires and internal components that can be easily damaged. Like a computer, things will occasionally go wrong and you will need to troubleshoot and fix the issue. We Look at when your device will need repair or replacement. 

A damaged device 

Most hearing devices are made with electronic component parts located inside a shell. This shell can be damaged through wear and tear, and wire may become visible. When this happens, your device is in danger of breaking altogether. Contact your audiologist for advice. 

If you're lucky the damage may not be too bad. A shell can be repaired with glue or replaced and wires can be recovered. However, in the majority of cases your device will need to be replaced with a newer model. 

A faulty microphone 

The microphone on a hearing device is one of the most vital components. It's the job of the microphone to capture sounds from the outside environment and transfer them to the hearing aid for amplification. If the microphone is damaged it's important to address. 

In most cases damage to the microphone will result in a replacement hearing device. The microphone cannot be easily repaired if it is damaged physically or due to moisture. Your audiologist will advise you how to proceed. 

A faulty earpiece 

The earpiece is the part of your hearing evidence that sits in the ear. It transfers the amplified sound from the hearing device into the inner ear and cochlea. This is where the sound is changed to electronic signals interpreted by the brain.

If the earpiece is faulty it makes it more difficult to hear sounds through the hearing aid. It can also be uncomfortable to wear since the earpiece can move around. If you have a faulty earpiece it's a sign your hearing aid needs repaired or replaced. 

Sound issues 

A hearing aid is a sound device. Its main job is to take sound in from outside and amplify it for the inner ear and the brain. But because it's a mini computer many things can go wrong with it including faulty circuitry and broken components. 

If you're having sound issues with your hearing aid it could be the result of several internal issues. Try troubleshooting yourself but if that doesn't work contact an audiologist. They may be able to identify the issue better than you can and possibly repair it. 

A broken battery 

Hearing aids typically have two types of battery. There is a replacement battery and a rechargeable battery. Both these batteries will need to be replaced at some point. If you have a replaceable battery you only need to learn the process of changing it. A rechargeable battery is different. 

A rechargeable battery is usually fixed in the device and will require some knowledge and expertise to replace. If you notice a reduction in the performance of your device it could be a broken battery. Contact your audiologist for advice on how to proceed.