Hearing Aid Troubleshooting

1
Hearing Aid Troubleshooting

• Amy Mellonig
• Nancy Lucas
• Kim Smith

2
Listening Check

• Listen for
• No output
• Muffled sound
• Feedback
• Distortion
• Intermittent sound

Without earmold
With earmold
3
Listening Check

• Turn the hearing aid on and speak while turning
  the volume control wheel slowly up and down
• Use of the sounds /a/, /u/, /e/, /sh/, and /s/
  are a good measure of the frequency response of
  the hearing aid
• The hearing aid should be squeezed while do the
  listening check to check for intermittent sound

4
No Output
5
No Output

• Battery-
• Replace battery
• Check battery with battery tester

6
No Output

• Make sure that positive and negative terminal of
  battery are in proper position in the battery
  compartment

7
No Output

• Make sure you have the correct type of battery
  for the aid.

8
No Output

• Check for corrosion on battery compartment. This
  can be removed with a pencil eraser.

9
No Output

• Check external switches-
• Check to see that external switch is not set to
  telecoil or off position.

10
No Output

• Earmolds-
• Check to see that earmold is not impacted with
  wax.
• The earmold may be washed with warm soapy water.
• Be sure that earmold is completely dry before
  putting it back in the ear.

11
No Output

• Tubing-
• Make sure that tubing is not collapsed or clogged.

12
No Output

• Moisture-
• Check for moisture
• If the hearing aid is wet, place aid in dry aid
  container

13
Review-No output
14
Review-No output

• Test or replace battery
• Make sure battery is inserted correctly
• Make sure correct type of battery is being used
• Check for corrosion on battery contact
• Correct setting on external switches
• Check to see that ear wax is not impacted on the
  opening of the earmold
• Make sure tubing is not collapsed or clogged
• Check for moisture
• If the problem is unresolved, consult an
  audiologist

15
Hearing aid weak
16
Weak/Muffled Sound

• Nearly exhausted battery
• Battery that registers 1.0 volts or less should
  be discarded
• If battery leakage occurs, discard battery
  properly

17
Muffled/Weak Sound

• Check for dirty or clogged microphone screen

18
Muffled/Weak Sound

• Earmold almost completely clogged with wax

19
Review-muffled/weak sound
20
Review Muffled/Weak Sound

• Check for nearly exhausted battery
• Discard battery if leakage occurs
• Microphone opening dirty or clogged
• Earmold almost completely clogged with wax
• If internal defects are suspected, consult
  audiologist

21
Feedback
22
Feedback

• Volume control setting is too high

23
Feedback

• Improper fitting of earmold

24
Feedback

• Crack in tubing

25
Feedback

• With the volume control set at normal setting,
  put finger over earmold opening and listen for
  feedback. If no feedback occurs, then feedback
  is due to volume control or improper fitting of
  the earmold. If feedback still occurs . . .

26
Feedback

• Remove earmold, and place finger over earhook.
  If feedback does not occur, then the problem is
  in the earmold or tubing. If feedback still
  occurs. .

27
Feedback

• Remove earhook, and place finger over opening of
  the aid. If feedback does not occur, then the
  problem was in the earhook. If feedback still
  occurs, it is internal feedback and consult an
  audiologist.

28
Review-feedback
29
Review Feedback

• Check volume control setting
• Improper fitting of earmold
• Crack in tubing
• Check for feedback in earmold/tubing
• Check for feedback in earhook
• Check for internal feedback
• If internal feedback is suspected, consult an
  audiologist

30
Distortion
31
Distortion

• Distortion can be characterized as sounding
  scratchy, having static, weak volume or a
  motorboating effect.

32
Distortion

• Check for corrosion on battery contacts and
  terminals
• Clean contacts with battery contact cleaner
  (follow instructions carefully)

33
Distortion

• Defective volume control
• Change battery
• Check for moisture

34
Distortion

• Check for covered or clogged microphone opening

35
Distortion

• Excessive wax in ear in students ear

36
Distortion

• Earmold needs venting

37
Review-Distortion
38
Review Distortion

• Check for corrosion on battery terminal
• Change battery
• Check microphone opening if it is covered or
  clogged
• Excessive wax in childs ear
• Earmold needs venting
• Moisture in hearing aid
• Defective volume control
• If problem is unresolved, consult an audiologist

39
Intermittent
40
Intermittent Sound

• May be characterized by scratchy sound or hearing
  aid sounding like it is going on and off

41
Intermittent Sound

• Corrosion on battery contacts and battery terminal

42
Intermittent Sound

• If tubing collapses, sound may cut off

43
Intermittent Sound

• Make sure that the battery is correctly seated
  and snug in battery compartment

44
Intermittent Sound

• Possible defective volume control
• Possible internal problems

45
Review-Intermittent
46
Review- Intermittent Sound

• Check for corrosion on battery contacts and
  terminals
• Make sure battery is correctly seated and snug in
  battery compartment
• Make sure tubing does not collapse or bend when
  head is turned
• Defective volume control
• If internal problems are suspected, consult an
  audiologist

47
Routine Care of Hearing Aid
48
Routine care

• Avoid high temperatures- Dont leave hearing aid
  on the radiator or in the direct sunlight, or any
  other equipment that generates heat. Heat can
  damage the hearing aid amplifier and can cause
  batteries to deteriorate.

49
Routine care

• Avoid Moisture- Keep hearing aid dry. Even
  perspiration can cause damage. If the child has
  trouble with excessive perspiration, you can
  purchase a dry aid kit. Place the aid in the kit
  overnight and it should be dry in the morning.

50
Routine care

• Battery Care-
• Keep several spare batteries handy in case
  battery goes dead.
• Store batteries in a cool dry place.
• Remove batteries from the aid at night to prolong
  battery life.
• Keep battery contacts bright and clean. Poor
  contacts can contribute to loss of power and may
  result in a frying sound in the hearing aid.
• Discard dead batteries properly

51
Routine care

• About the earmold- Keep the earmold clean. If
  the opening becomes clogged with wax, clean it
  gently. Do not use alcohol to clean the earmold.
  Earmold should be cleaned occasionally with soap
  and water. Be sure earmold is dry before you put
  it back on the child.

52
Routine care

• Protect the aid from hard knocks- The hearing
  aid is a delicate mechanism. Avoid dropping it or
  bumping it against hard object.

53
Routine care

• Removing the aid- Get into the habit of turning
  the switch to the OFF position before you
  remove the aid. When the switch is in the ON
  position, that battery is discharging whether the
  child is wearing the hearing aid or not. If the
  aid doesnt have an OFF switch, open the
  battery compartment so that the battery is not
  touching the battery contacts.

54
Routine care

• Repairs-Do not attempt to repair the hearing aid.
  If the aid is not functioning properly, ask the
  audiologist, or hearing aid dealers assistance.
  Many times a loaner aid can be supplied by a
  hearing aid dispenser while the aid is being
  repaired. When in doubt ask a friendly
  audiologist!

55
The End