Oticon Products

    Trouble Shooting Guide

    Your Hearing Aid Has Stopped Working – What To Do Next:

    There are four primary steps that must be made when selecting a hearing aid. The hearing test is always the best place to start. Based on the test results, and a conversation to determine information about your specific wants, needs and lifestyle, we can then help guide you through choosing the style of the case that the hearing aid circuitry will be housed in, the performance level of the hearing aid, and finally, the manufacturer of the hearing aid. Our years of experience will ensure that you get the hearing aids that best suit all of your individual needs.

    1. Power

    The first thing that you need to check if your hearing aid isn’t working is the power source. If your hearing aid uses standard batteries, do you have a new battery in the hearing aid and is it the right size? From time to time, we do encounter a bad battery or package of batteries. If you try two batteries from a package and neither seem to work, it might be worth trying one more from a different package. If that doesn’t work, it is likely not a battery issue, but something else going on with the hearing aid. If you have a pair of hearing aids and only one has stopped working, it is always a great idea to use the battery from the one that is working in the broken one. That way, you can absolutely rule out a battery issue.

    For rechargeable battery systems, please ensure that the hearing aids have been charged properly.

    2. Wax Filter

    Most of the modern hearing aids use some form of wax filter to protect the speaker form being damaged by ear wax. Much like the battery, the hearing aids will work at nearly full potential even when these filters are 95% blocked. Once they get fully blocked, they will almost instantly stop editing sound.

    RIC

    Receiver in the Canal

    RIC

    RIC hearing aids are the ideal solution for most first time hearing aid users with mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss. Their nearly invisible open design offers unmatched comfort and a very natural sound.

    ITC

    In the Canal

    ITC

    ITC hearing aids are slightly visible and are best suited for mild to severe hearing losses. ITC hearing aids typically include directional microphones, which provides better hearing in noise.

    Lyric

    Extended Wear

    Extended Wear

    Extended wear offers unmatched simplicity for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are a completely invisible product, with no batteries to change and no daily insertion.

    IIC & CIC

    Completely in the Canal

    IIC & CIC

    These are the smallest style and are nearly invisible. They are best suited for mild to moderate hearing losses. Due to their small size, they require good dexterity and have a shorter battery life than some of the larger models.

    ITE

    In the Ear

    ITE

    ITE hearing aids have the same fitting range and options as the ITC models, but in a slightly larger design making them easier to insert and remove. They also have a larger battery size offering the longest battery life, while making it easier to change batteries.

    BTE

    Behind the Ear

    BTE

    BTE hearing aids tend to be the most powerful models. For anyone with a very severe to profound hearing loss, this style is still the best option. They offer directional microphones for improved hearing in background noise and built in volume and program controls.

    3. Microphone Openings

    Now that we have the style, it’s time to choose between Good, Better and Best performance. The price you pay for a hearing aid can range from $495 to over $3000 per aid. While this is an extremely wide range, it is important to understand that there are significant differences between the hearing aids at the various price levels. As consumers, we all want to get the best products and services at a price we can afford.

    How is a more expensive hearing aid different than a less expensive one?

    The price you pay is a reflection of the hearing aid’s sound quality and performance. As a rule, the more you pay, the better the product will work in more challenging listening environments, such as in groups, churches or halls, and other loud places where there is background noise.

    Are smaller hearing aids more expensive?

    Not necessarily. The price of a hearing aid has little to do with the appearance. You can purchase most styles of hearing aids in any price range. Also, the price is not associated with how powerful a hearing aid is and has very little to do with the brand.

    Will I have to pay more for extra features?

    In general, your hearing aids can be set up any way you want without affecting the price. Want a volume control or a program button? It won’t cost you any more. Most models even offer a remote control for volume and program changes at no additional cost.

    4. Bring in for Service

    If you tried steps 1-3 and your hearing aid is still not working, it is likely time to bring it in for service.