Hearing aid troubleshooting.
Weak sound, one dead side, charging trouble, whistling, Bluetooth that only streams to one ear: most problems have a two-minute fix. Start here, and come see us when it is more than that.
- Change the wax guard & wipe the dome
- Charge fully or use a fresh battery
- Restart the devices (and your phone)
Wax is the number one cause of "broken" hearing aids we see. Truly.
Find your problem, try the fix.
Sounds weak or dead
Change the wax guard, wipe the dome or mold, clear the receiver opening, charge or replace the battery, restart. Still weak? The receiver may need replacing, a quick office fix.
Sounds distorted or crackly
Moisture and debris are the usual suspects. Dry the device overnight (a dryer kit helps in NYC summers), clean contacts, swap the wax guard. Persistent distortion usually means a receiver or microphone issue.
Only one side works
Give the quiet side a fresh wax guard and a full charge, then restart both. If it still lags, we will diagnose whether it is wax, a receiver, or a lab repair.
Not charging
Clean the charging contacts, confirm the charger has power, reseat the devices firmly, and check for a charging light. No light means a battery or contact issue: bring the charger with you.
Streams to one ear only
Forget the devices in your phone's Bluetooth settings, restart everything, and re-pair both sides together, through the app when there is one. One side still dropping usually means that device needs service.
App will not connect
Update the app and your phone, toggle Bluetooth off and on, restart the hearing aids, and re-pair inside the app. Still stuck? We will sort out the pairing at your next visit, or remotely when your devices support it.
Whistling or squealing
Reseat the device for a proper fit and check for earwax. New or persistent whistling deserves a fit check and an ear check, both quick, both in one visit.
Dome or earmold discomfort
Domes wear out and ears change. A cracked tube, a torn dome, or a mold that no longer seals all have simple fixes, and comfort problems are exactly what follow-up visits are for.
Prefer to see it done?
Our how-to video library walks through wax guard changes, cleaning, charging, and pairing, brand by brand. And our care guide covers the daily habits that prevent most of these problems in the first place.
When a fix needs a professional.
The fix didn't hold
If the same problem returns within days, something underneath needs attention: a failing receiver, moisture damage, or programming that no longer matches your hearing. See our repair service.
Physical damage or moisture
Cracked shells, chewed tubing (dogs love hearing aids), or a swim with the devices in: stop using the device and bring it in. Many need only a lab repair under warranty.
Working devices, poor hearing
If the devices check out but conversation is still hard, the fitting itself may need updating. A real-ear verified refitting, or a current hearing test, often solves what cleaning cannot. Our journal guide explains why.
We service all major brands, including devices purchased elsewhere, in office at Midtown Manhattan and Garden City, by care transfer, by mail-in repair, or at home through our concierge visits. More detail in our repair guide.
Troubleshooting questions, answered.
Nine times out of ten it is wax: change the wax guard, wipe the dome or mold, and make sure the receiver opening is clear. Then confirm the device is charged or has a fresh battery and restart it. If sound is still weak after that, the receiver may need replacement, which is a quick in-office fix.
Not necessarily. Swap in a fresh wax guard on the quiet side, clean it, charge both devices fully, and restart them. If the quiet side still lags, bring both in: we diagnose whether it is a clogged receiver, a microphone issue, or something that needs the lab.
Whistling (feedback) usually means sound is leaking out and re-entering the microphone: a loose fit, earwax in the canal, or a cracked tube or dome. If reseating the device does not stop it, have your ears checked for wax and your fit checked by us, especially if the whistling is new.
Forget the devices in your phone's Bluetooth settings, restart the hearing aids and the phone, then re-pair both together from scratch. Pair through the hearing aid app when there is one. If one side still drops, that device may need service.
Clean the charging contacts on the devices and the charger with a dry cloth, check that the charger itself has power, and reseat the devices firmly. If a device still shows no charging light, bring it in with the charger: it may need a battery or contact repair.
Yes. We service all major brands regardless of where you purchased, including online and big-box devices. Transferring your care is straightforward, and we can usually take over programming, repairs, and follow-up in one visit.