Hearing Aid Not Working?

Does your hearing aid need a repair?

Please post your hearing aids to us, or walk-in and use our dropbox.

This is located at:
– Edinburgh- Level 1 at Lauriston Building
– West Lothian – OPD4 at St John’s Hospital OPD4
– East Lothian – Reception at East Lothian Community Hospital
– Midlothian – Reception at Midlothian Community Hospital

Below is a guide to troubleshooting some common problems with hearing aids.

My hearing aid is whistling

Please check that:

Ear mould is fitted correctly in your ear (a loose fitting mould can cause whistling)
Tubing has no cracks (sound leaking out can cause whistling)
Tubing has no wax (use a cleaning wire if needed)
Your hearing aid is not completely covered (by hats or scarves etc)
Your hearing aid is not on a loop setting
You do not have wax blocking your ears (your GP can check this). Wax is a common reason for hearing aids to whistle

My hearing aid is too quiet

Please check that:

Hearing aid microphones are not blocked by ear wax or other debris
Tubing has no cracks, wax blockage, or moisture (even a small amount of buildup can affect sound)
Volume control on your hearing aid is not turned down low by mistake (some hearing aids may not have a volume control)
Hearing aid is on the correct setting (some hearing aids have a push button for switching programs- e.g. loop system)

My hearing aid does not work (no sound)

Please check that:

The hearing aid is on
There is a new battery inserted
Tubing and ear mould is not damaged or blocked with ear wax
Tube is clear of water droplets
Hearing aid is on the standard program. Turn the aid on and off to restart (it will default to the standard program)

My hearing aid sounds distorted

Distorted sounds can be described as sounds that seem to rattle or vibrate. A common cause of distortion is damaged battery contacts or corroded batteries.

Remove the battery out of the compartment and check for any residue from corrosion. Clean it out very carefully and insert a new battery.

Check the battery compartment and ensure that it is not bent in any way. If the battery contacts are not lined up properly, this could cause distortion.

How to clean your hearing aid

Although hearing aids are designed to be durable, you should try to clean them everyday to prevent them from breaking down.

Do everyday: Wipe down the entire hearing aid gently with a soft, dry cloth. If you have an earmould, you may use an alcohol-free cleaner to clean the earmould.
Do this every 6-9 months: Replace the tubing on your hearing aid every 6-9 months, as they can become brittle or damaged.
Do this when you see wax in slimtube: Detach the slimtube from the hearing aid and push the cleaning wire through the entire tube. Click on the link below to find out more information on how to use a cleaning wire.

Always keep your hearing aids in a dry and safe place, away from pets and children.

Common Problems

Needs retube

Over time, the tube on your hearing aid will harden and to discolour. This reduces the quality of sound. It is advised to get your hearing aid retubed every 6-9 months.

Unable to hear on the phone

Hold the phone behind your ear. You should direct the phones’ speaker to the hearing aid microphones. Do not hold it toward your ear canal, as the sounds you hear have to go through the microphones first in order to be amplified.

Hearing aid got wet

Remove the hearing aid from water as quickly as possible. Remove the battery and dry the hearing aid gently with a towel. Shake it gently to get the water out. Do not put your hearing aid into the microwave or oven, as this could damage the aid.