Do it Yourself Hearing Aid Repair
Hearing aids come with one to three years of manufacturer's warranty, which covers all repairs. There are many delicate internal components that can only be repaired or replaced by the hearing aid manufacturer. If your hearing aid is still under manufacturer's warranty, it's best to have it professionally repaired. Attempted home repair can void your warranty. Out-of-warranty hearing aid repair can cost $200.00 to $500.00--do it yourself repair is worth trying first.
Microphone
Microphone and receiver replacement are the most common repairs done to hearing aids. Although you can't replace these parts yourself at home, you can attempt to restore their function.
The microphone is located on the top portion of your hearing aid--the part opposite the part that goes into your ear canal. The top of your hearing aid may have a volume wheel, program button or battery door, as well as a microphone opening. On behind-the-ear hearing aids the microphone is located above the volume control or just below the hook on the hearing aid's side. Microphones pick up a lot of debris, earwax and moisture, so if not cleaned daily your microphone will eventually die.
A clogged microphone causes a muffled sound; try cleaning your microphone first. Use the brush included with your hearing aids or a soft tooth brush.
A bad microphone sounds like a bad speaker, and sounds will be distorted and crackling. Take a sewing needle, dip the end of it in rubbing alcohol and allow one drop of alcohol to enter the microphone off the tip of the needle. Blow on the microphone immediately to dry the alcohol.
If you can't hear anything out of your hearing aid, it could mean a dead microphone. The microphone is covered with a screen; if you use a magnify glass you can see the microphone screen. Use the sewing needle to very gently poke a hole in the microphone screen. You must press very gently otherwise you'll push the microphone down into the hearing aid and it'll need professional repair.
Receiver
The receiver is located on the bottom of your hearing aid--the part that goes into your ear canal. On behind-the-ear hearing aids the receiver is located at the top under the hook; you must unscrew the hook to access the receiver. On in-the-ear hearing aids you'll see a hole at the bottom with a white tubing. The receiver is located about one-quarter of an inch down in the hole.
Receivers also collect a lot of earwax, debris and moisture, and must be cleaned daily.
When you can't hear anything from your hearing aid, check the receiver for earwax. Using a wax loop tool or a sewing needle, pick out any visible earwax from the receiver hole.
Dip the end of a sewing needle in rubbing alcohol and allow one drop to drip off the needle into the receiver hole. Wait five seconds, then blow into the receiver hole.
The receiver is also covered with a screen. It's much harder to see though. Take the sewing needle and slowly poke into the receiver hole. When you feel the receiver stop scrape the receiver gently with the sewing needle tip.
If none of these things restores function to your hearing aid, you'll need to have it professionally repaired.
Broken, Cracked or Falling Apart
As hearing aids age, the outer case becomes brittle--prone to cracking and breaking. You can use regular super glue to seal cracks or re-attach broken off pieces. Make sure to use a small amount of glue. Blow on the glue until semi-dry then leave your hearing aid sit for four to six hours before using. If you believe a piece of hearing aid has broken off in your ear canal, contact your physician or hearing health care provider's office.
Tags: your hearing, hearing aids, sewing needle, receiver hole, into receiver, into receiver hole
