If you’re currently suffering from hearing loss, then there’s a good chance that you have been suggested a pair of hearing aids from your hearing specialist. They can usually help you deal with your hearing loss and they’re the most common solution for treating it. However, hearing aids themselves can be fairly difficult to adjust to, especially if you’ve only just received them.

One of the biggest issues with hearing aids is that they are fragile pieces of equipment. Even if your hearing health professional has recommended you a bulkier model that can withstand a bit of wear and tear, there’s no denying that they’re small devices that can easily be broken.

Sooner or later, you’ll need to ask your hearing care provider for hearing aid repairs. To help you understand the potential repair issues and also help you avoid having to repair them in the first place, here are the most common reasons for hearing aid repairs.

1. The hearing aid is clogged with sweat and/or earwax

Your hearing aids are going to be around your ears most of the time and, in some cases, they could even be inside of your ear. This makes them prone to collecting earwax, dirt and also sweat. This can ultimately get into your hearing aids and cause damage, or it might block the speaker so that the sounds are quieter and less effective. Make sure you clean your hearing aids on a regular basis to prevent this from happening.

2. The hearing aid itself is physically damaged

Hearing aids are small and fragile devices. If they fall off your ear or if you accidentally step on them, then they’ll suffer physical damage and you’ll need to either get them fixed or replaced. Make sure you keep your hearing aids safe to prevent this happening. Always keep track of where your hearing aids are and make sure you store them in a safe location such as a box or a storage pouch when not in use.

3. The battery has been damaged or needs replacing

If you use your hearing aids more often than you suggested during your fitting, then there’s a possibility that you’re wearing down the battery faster than intended. As a result, it may need a replacement sooner than you might expect and you’ll likely need to take it to your hearing care provider.

4. The tubing of your behind-the-ear hearing aid is damaged

Behind-the-ear hearing aids use a tube that goes from the unit to your ear in order to play sound. This tubing is fragile and can be damaged over time. It can even become blocked with sweat and moisture, which could ultimately damage it and cause lots of potential issues. Make sure you keep this tubing clean and inspect it now and then if possible. If it has indeed become damaged, then you’ll need to bring the hearing aid to your local hearing health professional for a repair.