Many people in the U.S. struggle with hearing loss. Thankfully, hearing aids are highly effective at helping affected individuals listen, communicate, and participate in daily life without limitations. However, for this tool to provide maximum benefits, it’s important to know when it’s not working properly. If you’re experiencing any of the below issues, it may be time to upgrade your device.

4 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Hearing Aid

1. Low Volume 

If you’re unable to hear conversations as loud and clearly as you once could, there may be a problem with your hearing aid’s volume control. Check the volume setting to make sure it wasn’t accidentally adjusted, and try replacing the battery. If these troubleshooting techniques do not work, make an appointment with your audiologist. They’ll recalibrate your hearing aid to adjust for your hearing loss or provide you with a replacement.

2. Poor Sound Quality

When wearing a hearing aid, sounds should be clear and crisp, without static, whistling, screeching, or other distracting noises. However, if you’re experiencing these issues, an electrical component in your device may be malfunctioning. Whether a drained battery, or damaged internal speakers or microphones, poor sound quality is a sure sign you need a new device. 

3. Wear & Tear

Hearing aids are delicate devices that are subject to everyday wear and tear. In addition to cracks to the exterior, internal damage such as loose wires, broken switches, and clogged or dislodged tubing can occur over time. Your audiologist will be able to examine your device and determine if you need hearing aid repair or replacement. 

4. Lifestyle Change

If you’ve recently taken up a new hobby that’s not compatible with your current hearing aid device, invest in a model better tailored to your needs. For example, if you wear a standard behind-the-ear device and have taken up jogging, your audiologist may recommend switching to a hearing aid that sits inside the ear canal. This type of device will stay put much more efficiently while you’re in motion.

If you think it may be time to replace your hearing aid, contact Dr. Angie Kerr of Northwest Alabama Hearing Clinic in Hamilton, AL. This expert audiologist carries the latest devices and will pair you with a model that suits your unique hearing needs. Dr. Kerr also provides hearing aid repair, audiometric testing, and treatment for hearing-related conditions such as tinnitus. Visit the website to learn more about her services, and call (205) 952-9944 to schedule an appointment today.