FAQs

My hearing aid sounds too quiet / isn't working as well as before

In our experience, ranked by frequency, here are the top reasons for this:

1) Wax

The vast majority of hearing aid issues we attend that aren't mechanical in nature stem from earwax.

Due to it's makeup, wax can work it's way into hearing aid components and clog them up, or perhaps not even make it that far and amass in your inner ear canal, making it impossible for sound to penetrate (imagine a cork in a bottle!).

Prevention:

Maintenance. As a preventative measure, spending several seconds per evening gently wiping and brushing down your hearing aids, focusing on the areas that spend the most time in and near your ear canal, can save you time and money in having to use consumables or calling on us.

The fix:

This will normally involve using a wax guard stick or disc to remove and replace the wax guard.

Quick note: The above can be referred to interchangeably as wax filters, wax guards, wax stops, cerustops, cerushields etc., whatever the name it is advised to periodically change them, and especially if the hearing aid doesn't sound as good as before.

If you have been taking good care of the hearing aids and have changed the wax guards to no avail, call us and we'll visit to check there isn't a blockage in your ears and to check the hearing aid for further potential mechanical issues.

2) The volume has been turned down.

The fix:

Using the buttons on the hearing aid body or the accompanying remote control or app, turn the volume up and see if this helps improve the sound.

Alternatively, as the old IT joke goes: have you tried turning it off and on again? Do this by either: opening and closing the battery door; pressing and holding the buttons on the hearing aid body for several seconds until there is a visual or audible response, or; docking them in their charger briefly and taking them out again.

3) There's a mechanical issue.

If the above hasn't worked for you, give us a call to explain what's happening and what you have tried, and we will come up with the most appropriate solution. Dependant on your timescales and expectations, we might broach either: posting the aid(s) to us (Royal Mail Special Delivery recommended to ensure the aids are insured in transit), or; agreeing an appointment for us to visit to examine the hearing aid and/or your ears.

The visit itself will be complimentary if you purchased your hearing aid from us, or £75 if you purchased them elsewhere. We ask £25 in addition for any appointment outside of Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

In the vast majority of cases we carry spare parts for immediate repairs, for which we will ask you cover only the cost of said parts. This typically could be from £5-£25 dependant on the part required and manufacturer.

Alternatively we can forward on the hearing aid to the appropriate manufacturer for a service. Usually repairs in warranty (within 2-5 years of purchase) will cost nothing other than the amount of time they take, but repairs outside of warranty can be charged at the manufacturer's discretion.

4) Your hearing has changed

There is always the possibility that your hearing has changed since your last hearing test. We are able to check your ears inside and out, and test your hearing in the comfort of your own home.