Hearing Aid Repairs

Common hearing aid problems

Hearing aids live in a tough environment: warm, sometimes damp, and sitting next to earwax all day. Over time, that takes a toll. The problems we see most often include:

• No sound or weak sound, usually from a dead battery, a clogged wax guard, or a blocked receiver
• Whistling or feedback from a loose fit, a worn dome, or earwax in the ear canal
• Distorted or crackling sound from moisture or a damaged receiver
• Sound cutting in and out from moisture, dirty battery contacts, or a loose connection
• Worn or cracked tubing and domes that affect fit and sound quality
• Charging or Bluetooth problems with rechargeable and connected models
• Broken microphones or physical damage from drops

Try these quick checks first

Before you book, a few simple steps solve a surprising number of problems:

1. Check the power. Put in a fresh battery, or make sure a rechargeable device is fully charged and seated properly in its charger.
2. Replace the wax guard or filter. A clogged wax guard is one of the most common reasons a hearing aid goes quiet.
3. Inspect the dome or tubing. Look for wax, moisture, cracks, or stiffness, and replace domes that look worn.
4. Check the volume and program. Make sure the device wasn’t accidentally switched to a different setting.
5. Restart it. Turn the hearing aid off and on again, or take it out of the charger and put it back in.
6. Reset the Bluetooth connection. For streaming problems, turn Bluetooth off and on again on your phone, or remove the hearing aids from your phone’s device list and pair them again.

If none of that helps, bring it in. And if your hearing aid seems to work but everything still sounds muffled, the problem may be your ears rather than your device. Earwax buildup can block sound before it ever reaches your eardrum. Read why cotton swabs make earwax worse, or learn about our Earigator earwax removal service.

What to expect at a repair visit

1. Tell us what’s happening. When did the problem start? Is it constant or on and off? Does it affect one hearing aid or both? Details like these help us find the cause faster.
2. Inspection and cleaning. We look the device over, clean it, and check the parts that wear out most often, like wax guards, domes, tubing, and receivers.
3. Testing. We check how the hearing aid is performing, so we can tell whether a part has failed or something else is going on.
4. A clear plan. If the fix can be done in the clinic, we take care of it. If the device needs factory service, we explain your options and coordinate the next steps with you.

If the problem involves charging or streaming, bring your charger and your phone along. It helps us see exactly what’s going wrong.

How we repair hearing aids

In-clinic repairs

Most common issues are quickly resolved in the clinic. We clean and inspect the device, clear wax from receivers and microphones, replace worn tubing, domes, and wax guards, check for moisture damage, and test it to make sure it’s performing as it should.

Manufacturer service

Some repairs need factory-level work, such as replacing internal components or fixing a cracked case. In those cases we coordinate shipping, warranty claims, and loaner devices so you’re not left without hearing during the wait.

When the problem is your settings

Sometimes a hearing aid isn’t broken at all. If your hearing has changed since your devices were fitted, they may simply not be set up for the hearing you have today. An updated hearing evaluation shows whether your settings need to change too.

Keeping your hearing aids working

Good daily habits prevent many repairs:

• Wipe your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth every day.
• Change wax guards regularly.
• Store them in their case or charger, away from heat and moisture.
• Take them out before showering, swimming, or using hair spray.
• Keep them away from pets and small children.

Even a working hearing aid benefits from a yearly clean and recalibration. We recommend a check-in every 6 to 12 months to catch small issues before they turn into bigger ones.

Repair or replace?

Hearing aids don’t last forever. If repairs are becoming frequent, your device no longer keeps up with your hearing, or it’s missing features that would make daily life easier, it may be time to look at new hearing aids. We’ll give you an honest view of whether repair or replacement makes more sense for you.

Bring it in

If your hearing aid has gone quiet, started whistling, or just doesn’t sound right, book a repair appointment. We see patients at our Santa Monica clinic on the Westside of Los Angeles and our Solvang clinic in the Santa Ynez Valley.