Hearing aids are remarkable devices that reconnect you to the people and world around you. Although every 
is designed to last, that doesn’t mean there won’t be the occasional issue to troubleshoot. The good news is that you can troubleshoot many minor issues with a few simple tricks from the comfort of your home. Let’s look at a few of those issues below.
Feedback
Feedback is a high-pitched whistling sound. You might associate it with the result of a musician accidentally putting two microphones together at Warehouse Live. Feedback occurs when the sound from your hearing aid speaker escapes the ear canal and reenters the microphone. The resulting whistling sound can be uncomfortable and interfere with the proper function of your devices. Try the following to minimize feedback:
- Turn the volume down a bit
- Clean your hearing aids using their cleaning kit, paying special attention to the microphone and speaker
- Adjust the position of your hearing aids
Distorted Sound
Distorted sound, like crackling or off-putting pitches, can happen with water damage, wax blockages, physical damage or poor programming. Try the following to fix the sound:
- Clean your hearing aids thoroughly
- Look for signs of physical damage
- Place your hearing aids in a specialty electric dehumidifier or a jar filled with desiccating beads
- Adjust the programming in your device app; it’s possible something got accidentally changed
Low Sound
Low sound stems from many of the same issues as distorted or feedback-related sound. Try the following:
- Check your battery levels; either replace the disposable batteries or charge your devices if they’re rechargeable
- Clean your hearing aids
When To Seek Help From Your Hearing Aid Specialist
Hearing aids could benefit as many as 28.8 million U.S. adults.[1] Learning how to troubleshoot hearing aid issues and when to seek professional help will lead to the greatest benefit from your devices.
If you experience feedback or sound issues, follow the steps above to see if you can fix them at home. If your hearing aids continue to malfunction afterward or show visual signs of damage, we can help. Contact our experts at Hearing Systems to schedule a service & repair appointment. We’ll get your devices back to their happy selves in no time.
[1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2024). Quick statistics about hearing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing