Repairing Your Damaged or Broken Hearing Aid

Even if you take care of your hearing aids and keep up with regular maintenance, time takes its toll on all technology, and yours will eventually wear out through the course of normal use.

While replacing your older, damaged hearing aids may be the best answer in some cases, especially when there’s new updated advanced technology available, there are some common hearing aid repairs that you can try if you’re having problems with one or both of your devices. Try these quick fixes:

  • Replace your battery
  • Make sure your rechargeable battery is charged
  • If it’s whistling, remove and reinsert your hearing aid
  • Clean your hearing aid using a cleaning tool
  • Replace the wax filter
  • Open and close the battery compartment door
  • Make sure the battery compartment is free of obstructions
  • Make sure the volume is turned up and you are in the correct
    program

 

How Much Do Hearing Aid Repairs Cost?

The cost to fix a broken or damaged hearing aid varies based on whether the hearing aid is still under warranty, how damaged the device is, and the cost of replacement parts for your unit.

If you bought your hearing system from Allegany Hearing & Balance Center and it is still under warranty, there will likely not be a charge. Hearing aids that are no longer under warranty, or that were purchased elsewhere, usually have an associated cost, but will also then be covered with a repair warranty that is typically a year. Cracked shells on custom-molded devices can be expensive, but in some cases, these cracks can be repaired.

 

When Is Your Hearing Aid Beyond Repair?

It takes a hearing aid expert to properly diagnose a damaged hearing aid, but you can assume your hearing aids are beyond repair if:

  1. Your devices are more than ten years old. Hearing aids typically last for three to five years. If your hearing aids are beyond ten years old, they are typically unrepairable. We will always be open and honest about the state of your devices to ensure they work for your lifestyle.
  2. The damage is visible. Although the damage may not be as bad as it looks, if your hearing aid has been stepped on or smashed in some other way, it may be unfixable.
  3. Your hearing aids have an extensive repair history. If your hearing aid has undergone multiple repairs for the same or different issues, it may be beyond saving. Much like a totaled car, a hearing aid needing that many fixes to be functional may simply no longer be worth the repair cost, and it may make more sense financially to invest in some new devices.

A manufacturer’s warranty essentially states that the product should work for as long as the warranty lasts — nothing beyond that is guaranteed. Balancing the cost of repairs with the cost of a new system (and how it will benefit your life) can be tricky, but we can help you determine a proper course of action after diagnosing the damage and estimating repair costs.

If you’re having any trouble with your hearing aids, please contact us right away. We’re more than happy to help you get your devices back in working order, or to help you determine what options are available to fix your broken hearing aid.

 

Extended Manufacturer Warranty

Enrolling in this program covers your hearing system for:

  • Replacement if your devices are lost
  • Repair or replacement if your devices are accidentally damaged or stop working

Definitions, Terms, and Limitations
Accidental damage covers unintentional physical damage to your instruments. Gradual deterioration through normal wear and tear, dust, heat, humidity, and other forms of failure or decline in performance are also covered by this program. Please contact us for more information.

If we repair your instruments, service under this coverage will continue.

If we replace your instruments, we will notify you of your updated coverage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hearing aids easily broken?
Because of how small and light today’s hearing aids are — and because of how delicate the internal components are — any excessive force applied to the device may crack the outer shell, which is likely to compromise its function permanently. Internal components might be moisture resistant, but submersion can still permanently damage the unit.
What activities can damage hearing aids?
If you aren’t using hearing aids that are tightly secured, any intense physical activity might jar them loose. Swimming or showering without first removing your devices can also cause damage, as most hearing aids are not waterproof.
How do I know if my hearing aids are broken?
If you can no longer hear from it at all, or have begun to have trouble hearing with the device, it may be broken. One of our professionals can determine if there is an internal problem with your device. If you have tried to troubleshoot them using the tips above, but are still experiencing difficulties getting them to work correctly, contact us immediately so we can get them repaired for you.
Where can I repair my hearing aids?
Our practice can help diagnose the problem with your technology, and then get the device repaired if fixing the device is possible.
Are hearing aids waterproof?
Very few hearing aid brands are waterproof, but by and large, most hearing aids are not. Some internal components in some hearing aids are water resistant, meaning they’ll protect against humidity or condensation to a degree. Direct contact with liquid, or submersion, should be avoided.
Does insurance cover my hearing aid repairs?
Contact your insurer’s customer service line to find out for sure, but typically, insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aid repairs unless you have obtained a “rider” adding the hearing aid to your homeowner’s insurance. Even then, you would have to pay your deductible which frequently is more than the cost of the repair itself. Extended warranty coverage plans that protect against damage, however, are available for most hearing aids at Allegany Hearing & Balance Center. Please call our office to learn more about protecting your investment in better hearing!