| Like many appliances hearing aids, even the best | | | | wax away. Under no circumstances should anything |
| brands may suffer from a glitch. If your hearing aid has | | | | else be used, especially needles or pins to clear away |
| become less effective or stopped working altogether | | | | the wax. |
| then there are simple tests to see if you can fix it | | | | |
| yourself. | | | | BTE (Behind The Ear) |
| | | | | |
| First you can check if your hearing aid is working by | | | | With these types of hearing aids the dome should be |
| cupping the hearing aid in your hand, you should then | | | | checked before the tubing. Most over time can and will |
| hear a faint whistling noise. This whistling lets you know | | | | get blocked up with wax. To stop it getting blocked up |
| that the hearing aid is working. | | | | use either a cleaning brush or a soft tissue to clear the |
| | | | | wax away from the dome each night. To make sure |
| However if you don't hear this noise then the first and | | | | the dome is free of wax you can use the technique |
| probably obvious solution is to change the battery; this | | | | described above to see if the hearing aid is whistling. |
| should be done even if you have recently put a new | | | | |
| one in. If you continue to have problems with your | | | | Typically domes should be replaced every 6-8 weeks |
| hearing aid then it might be easier and cheaper to | | | | but check the make and size as these vary from |
| invest in a hearing aid battery tester. | | | | hearing aid to hearing aid. |
| ITE (In The Ear) and CICs (Completely In the Canal) | | | | |
| A common problem with these types of hearing aids | | | | Having checked the dome, the tubing should be |
| are that the wax filters can become blocked. To stop | | | | checked to see if it is clear and clean of wax. If this |
| this from happening they would need to be cleaned | | | | becomes a problem then the tube should be replaced, |
| using a cleaning brush or a soft tissue each night. Care | | | | if you have no extra tubes then again make sure to |
| should be taken though as some wax filters have a | | | | check the make and size as they vary. |
| fine wire mesh and it is best advised not to use a | | | | |
| brush on this but a tissue instead. | | | | RITE (Receiver In The Ear) |
| | | | | |
| For best performance optimisation the wax filter | | | | The only difference between a RITE hearing aid and a |
| should be replaced once every three to five weeks | | | | BTE hearing aid is that the RITE has a receiver at the |
| depending on the individual's build up of wax. All hearing | | | | end of the tubing. Receivers are normally very reliable |
| aids have different wax filters so be sure to check | | | | but there are occasions where it is actually the |
| what make your hearing aid is before you purchase | | | | receiver that is creating the problem. If this is the case |
| any new filters. | | | | then it is best to call your audiologist and request a |
| | | | | new receiver. |
| Hearing aids should be kept in a dry place as moisture | | | | |
| is one of the biggest problems with hearing aids the | | | | It is normal for all hearing aids to have their own |
| best way to avoid this problem would be to get a dry | | | | ‘noise' although the noise does vary from aid to aid. |
| aid kit. | | | | However if the level of noise increases or is |
| | | | | uncomfortable then you should speak to your |
| Another common problem with these type of hearing | | | | audiologist. |
| aids is the keeping the microphone clean. Microphones | | | | |
| need to be clear and can be found next to the battery | | | | Having followed this advice if your hearing aid still isn't |
| door. To keep it clean the microphone can only be | | | | working then it will have to be sent to the |
| cleaned with the cleaning brush to gently brush the | | | | manufacturer for repair under your warranty. |