My hearing aid is not working!
It is generally at the worst time possible. You are on vacation in a foreign country and your hearing aid(s) stop working! It is a situation that that no one would want to be in. If someone with good hearing suddenly lost their hearing it would be a major problem. We understand what it is like and how much of an inconvenience it can be.
The good news is most issues are avoidable; the bad news is many people don’t take steps to avoid the issues! While hearing aids today are advanced in many ways, they are still electronic and susceptible to the environment they are used in – a fact that is easy to forget. While some people can literally go years without cleaning or needing to repair their hearing aids and there are some who have constant issues and therefore have more maintenance requirements.
This is why we recommend that everyone who uses hearing aids maintain them regularly to prevent those inconvenient and sometimes costly malfunctions. Different models have different maintenance requirements so it is best to check with your hearing healthcare professional regarding the proper maintenance schedule and procedures.
Hearing aid manufacturers make maintenance easier these days by utilizing things to help stop wax and moisture from damaging the hearing aids. For those who perspire a lot, there are even hearing aids that are moisture resistant or water proof (not maintenance free however). In addition, there are devices made specifically for removing any moisture from the hearing devices while you are not wearing them (overnight). Your hearing healthcare professional will be able to recommend a model of hearing aid that best fits your needs, help to ensure proper maintenance (in and out of the office), and recommend products that will help increase the longevity of the devices.
