What are the Most Common Hearing Aid Repairs?

Hearing aid repairs can occur for a number of reasons, from a poor maintenance routine to physical trauma. If you have noticed your hearing aid isn’t working as well as it once did, consider the following common hearing aid repairs that you may be looking at.

A damaged earhook 

The earhook is a small part of an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid that hooks the earpiece around the ear and allows it to access the inner ear comfortably. Occasionally this earhook can become damaged. It might get bent or snapped if the hearing device falls or gets stepped on. 

If you have an issue with the earhook it's an easy thing to repair in most cases. You can simply bend the earhook back into its right position or use some glue in extreme cases. If the device is uncomfortable contact an audiologist. 

Tubing problems

The tubing on a hearing aid carries sounds from the device to the inner ear. It is a small plastic tube that loops around the back of the ear. This tube can become clogged up with wax if it isn't regularly cleaned. In such cases the hearing device will underperform.

The best way to prevent tubing issues is to clean the device regularly. After a certain point the wax buildup will need a professional repair or a replacement device or tubes. Luckily this issue can usually be solved in the office of an audiologist. They will otherwise order you a replacement device. 

Earmold issues 

The earmold is the part of the hearing device that sits in the ear and sends the amplified sounds down into the cochlea where it is translated into electronic signals for the brain to interpret. The earmold doesn't always sit flush against the skin and its movement can cause irritation and discomfort. 

Thankfully an earmold can be easily replaced by an audiologist. If you're having issues, book an appointment with your audiologist, they will assess the situation and offer a solution. That might be in the form of a repair, a replacement part or a replacement device altogether. 

Broken microphone 

The microphone is another vital component to the proper function of your hearing device. The microphone is responsible for taking sounds from the outside environment and transferring it to the hearing aid from amplification. If the microphone isn't working or is faulty, always check the battery first. 

If the battery seems in good condition, then you might have an issue with the microphone itself. Unfortunately, these issues are not easy to solve and you might have to replace your hearing aid. Contact your audiologist for advice, there may still be a chance of repairing the hearing aid before ordering a new one. 

Moisture issues 

If your hearing device isn't waterproof them it may be at risk from damage. If you are caught in the rain or enter a steamy environment your hearing aid might be damaged by moisture. The moisture gets into the hearing device and damages the microphone and the internal components. 

If your device is damaged by moisture you will notice a reduction in its performance. The sound may deteriorate or come and go. You might also start to hear background noise. An audiologist should be able to identify the issue and resolve or order a new device.