Due to the frustration of a poorly performing hearing aid, you might be tempted to toss it into your junk drawer with all your other unused electronic devices.
Abandoning your hearing aids is not only a waste of money but also prevents you from benefiting from the advantages of better hearing as well as increasing your risk of developing serious mental and physical health issues adds to the costs.
An investment in repairing a malfunctioning hearing aid is minimal in comparison, which is why we provide hearing aid maintenance and repair to hearing aid wearers in Abilene and surrounding communities.
Three Common Hearing Aid Issues
Hearing aid malfunction and reduced performance issues are usually the results of three common problems:
- Earwax Buildup. All hearing aid manufacturers include wax filters and cleaning tools to reduce wax buildup issues because 20% to 30% of hearing aid breakdowns stem from wax buildup. Removing accumulated earwax on electronic components and internal tubing restores proper function.
- Moisture Damage. Moisture is the worst enemy of the delicate electronic components, and the battery leads in your hearing aids. Corrosion, caused by moisture, leads to circuit failure and reduced performance or a complete shutdown.
- Physical Defects. A damaged case and loose wires are the most noticeable physical defects. However, damaged or defective microphones, receivers, tubes, tips, and earmolds, which require replacement for the unit to perform as designed, are among the most common hearing aid repairs.
Practicing the daily hearing aid cleaning, maintenance, and troubleshooting according to manufacturer instructions makes it easier for you to spot physical damage and defects before they cause serious problems and more costly repairs.
Cost of Hearing Aid Repair
Hearing aid repair costs depend on the type of repairs needed and whether your instrument is still under warranty. Repair costs for your hearing aid can range from $45 up to $150, depending on the difficulty involved and the parts we replace. A quick fix in our office costs a lot less than major repairs, parts replacement, and returning the device to the manufacturer for repair, which is extra motivation to bring your device to us the moment you notice a problem.
Hearing Aid Repair vs. Replacement
Replacing your hearing aid instead of repairing it is the best option under certain circumstances. Instruments between three and five years old are reaching the end of their life expectancy. Hearing aid technology advances rapidly, which makes finding replacement parts and outdated technology more of a challenge.
Replacement of a hearing device of this age provides you with more significant benefits than you can expect to receive from your repaired unit.
Another consideration involves hearing aids less than three years old that have seen extensive damage or undergone repair multiple times. These instruments are a losing proposition because they cause repair costs that exceed a new unit’s value.
Faithful Hearing Aid Care Reduces the Cost of Repair
Earwax, moisture, debris, excessive temperatures, and harsh chemicals are all elements with the potential to damage the complex circuitry in your hearing aids. Extending the life of your hearing aids and reducing the cost of repairs involves faithful hearing aid care practices:
- Daily cleaning.
- Keeping them dry, especially the battery compartment.
- Proper storage prevents damage from pets, children, UV exposure, and extreme temperatures.
- Keeping them away from harsh chemicals (hair care products, colognes, cleaning solvents, etc.)
Take Advantage of Expert Hearing Aid Repair from Holland Hearing
We have been providing hearing aid repair to hearing aid users in West Central Texas for over 16 years, averaging roughly 2500 hearing aid repairs per year. The Holland Hearing Center hearing aid repair specialists have handled every imaginable repair thrown their way while providing general maintenance and care to prevent more costly issues. If you have troubleshooting questions or have concerns about a low performing or malfunctioning device, contact us to get the support you need.
