If you have noticed that you are no longer able to hear as well using your hearing aids, you may wonder if they are starting to fail. If so, before you try to have them replaced, take the following actions to see if there is a simple solution for when your hearing aid is not loud enough.

Inspect the Volume Control

If your hearing aid has suddenly stopped producing sounds, the problem could be caused by the volume control. You may have inadvertently hit the control, turning it down. Or, it may have become loose and is no longer regipstering correctly.

After taking the hearing aid out of your ear, check the control to make sure it is not on a lower setting. If you see that it is turned down, turn it up to the midway point, and check to see if the sound improves. If it does not improve, or if the volume is already at its maximum setting, the issue may have another cause.

Change the Battery

If the volume control is not working, the next thing to try is changing the battery. If the battery is low, your hearing aid may not be getting enough energy to register and resonate sounds.

While you have the battery out, check the compartment for signs of corrosion on the contacts. If you do find any corrosion, take your device to a hearing aid service, like Accurate Hearing Technology Inc., to see if it can be cleaned.

Check the Earpiece for Wax Buildup

If you do not find any corrosion and changing the battery did not improve the sound quality, next check the earpiece for wax buildup. Since the hearing aid spends most of its time in your ear canal, ear wax and oils can start to form on and clog up the channel inside the earpiece.

If you find a plug of wax inside the channel, try to remove it using a soft cloth that has been dampened with alcohol. If needed, gently insert a toothpick into the channel to pull it out. After cleaning the earpiece, try your hearing aid again.

If you find that your hearing aid is still not producing sound at a level you can hear, either the device is defective or your hearing may have changed. Make an appointment with your doctor to have your hearing checked to make sure it is not the latter, and if not, discuss your options for replacing your old hearing aids.