Repairing Your Damaged or Broken Hearing Aid

Hearing aids typically last for three to five years. Depending on how long your manufacturer warranty lasts, major repair needs should be covered during that timeframe.

If you have a major issue after the warranty has expired, your hearing aids may still be salvageable.

If your hearing aids are beyond three years old, however, repair needs are likely to pile up, in which case it may make more financial sense to get some new devices.

If it is a smaller issue, you may find these DIY fixes helpful:

  • Take the battery from your other (working) hearing aid and put it in the non-functioning hearing aid. That way you’ll know if it is a problem with the battery. If it was, replace the battery.
  • Remove and reinsert your hearing aid.
  • Clean your hearing aid using a cleaning tool.
  • Remove and replace the dome and wax filter.
  • Open and close the battery compartment, and make sure it is free of obstructions.

 

Common DIY Fixes

Cleaning a hearing aid microphone

Changing a custom mold wax filter

Changing a RIC wax filter

*Always use a fresh dome after changing filters. Re-using domes, as pictured in these videos, is NOT recommended by our audiologists.

 

When Are My Hearing Aids Beyond Repair?

It takes a hearing aid expert to properly diagnose a damaged hearing aid, but your hearing aids are most likely beyond repair if:

  1. Your devices are damaged or stop working after three years of use
  2. The damage is visibly severe
  3. Your hearing aids have an extensive repair history

 

Where Can I Get Repairs at a Reasonable Price?

We are glad to diagnose any issues, provide a fair estimate of the costs, and let you know whether the issue will require sending the devices in to the manufacturer.

You can also take home a loaner pair of devices to help you hear while your hearing aids are away getting fixed, which may take up to a month depending on shipping and repair times.

We can also give you an honest recommendation whether it would be best to invest in new hearing aids after we diagnose the issues, which will save you time, money, and the hassle of trying to fix devices that won’t likely continue to provide a significant benefit long term.

If you’re having any trouble with your hearing aids, please contact us. We’re more than happy to help you get your devices back in working order, or to help you determine what options are available to fix your broken hearing aid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hearing aids easily broken?
Because of how small and light today’s hearing aids are — and because of how delicate the internal components are — any excessive force applied to the device may crack the outer shell, which is likely to compromise its function permanently. Internal components might be moisture resistant, but submersion can still permanently damage the unit.
Are hearing aids waterproof?
A few hearing aid brands are waterproof, but by and large, most hearing aids are not. Some internal components in some hearing aids are water-resistant, meaning they’ll protect against humidity or condensation to a degree. Direct contact with liquid, or submersion, should be avoided.
Does insurance cover my hearing aid repairs?
Contact your insurer’s customer service line to find out for sure, but typically, insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aid repairs. Extended-coverage plans that protect against damage, however, are available for some hearing aids at Professional Hearing Services. Please call our office to learn more about protecting your investment in better hearing!
How do I know if my hearing aids are broken?
Only diagnostic procedures carried out by a professional can determine that, but your devices might be broken if you have tried troubleshooting them using the tips above but are still experiencing difficulties getting them to work correctly.
How can I prolong the life of my devices?
Regular cleaning and care of your hearing aids will prolong the life significantly. Swimming or showering without first removing your devices can also cause damage, as most hearing aids are not rated to withstand water.

Ready to Get Your Hearing Aids Repaired?

Contact our expert audiologists today for help.

Request an Appointment