Hearing aids should be handled with caution and care in order to ensure they are functioning properly and the user is delivered consistent quality of sound and is able to benefit from all of the device’s features.
First, the hearing aid needs to be correctly adjusted in order to correspond to the user’s type of hearing loss and individual condition. Once optimum performance is achieved and the user feels comfortable with the device, it is advisable to follow some useful cleaning and care tips to help the device perform well over time.
However, even with diligent maintenance, it might become necessary to repair the hearing aid at some point. It is important to look for any indications that the device is not performing at its best capacity.
Examples are:
- The level of the received sound is not loud enough
- The sound is distorted and unclear
- There is too much background noise and whistling
- Some parts of the hearing aid look damaged or worn out
- Excessive battery drain
- Wireless connectivity problems
- The device is not functioning
Some of these problems may have an easy solution – incorrectly inserted or depleted battery, a blocked or dislocated ear mould, damaged tubing, earwax accumulation, etc. Problems with may also occur if you accidentally drop the device, leave it in a direct sunlight for too long or spill water or other liquids over it.
Regardless of the reason, poor performance of the hearing aid can be a serious issue and if you are not sure of the cause, it is advisable to contact your hearing aid specialist and ask for advice. You can also speak directly with the manufacturer, especially if the device is still in warranty. Hearing aids are expensive and complex devices, therefore any repairs should be done only by professionals who are authorised to perform them. It is important to act on time, before the problem escalates to avoid further expense and delay. A good practice to adopt, if you want to feel confident about your hearing aid’s condition, is to take the device to your audiologist for regular check-ups.
Each hearing aid manufacturer has their own procedure for handling repair claims. It is important to be aware of its details and terms and conditions, which are usually available on the company’s website or mentioned in the hearing aid’s user guide.
Hearing Direct, for example, operates a 12-month warranty period for its own brand of hearing aids. When this period is over, we offer our customers a fixed repair price of $90. In order to use the repair services, it is necessary to download the repair form from the website, complete it and then send it to Hearing Direct together with the device. The Hearing Direct team will then be in touch to confirm the repair details. The instructions on how to request a repair are available here.
