Repairing Your Damaged or Broken Hearing Aids & Instruments

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

While replacing your damaged hearing instruments may be the best answer in some cases — it gives you the opportunity to upgrade your technology — there are some common hearing device repairs that you can try if you’re having problems with one or both of your devices. Try these quick fixes:

  • Replace your disposable batteries with or check connection on rechargeable battery
  • Clean your hearing instrument using a cleaning tool
  • Replace the wax filter
  • Open and close the battery compartment
  • Make sure the battery compartment is free of obstructions
  • Make sure your microphones are free of obstructions

 

How Much Do Hearing Aid & Instrument Repairs Cost?

The cost to fix a broken or damaged hearing instrument varies based on a few things: whether the hearing instrument 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 Family Audiology Associates and it is still under warranty, your repair costs will likely be minimal — if there’s a charge at all. Hearing instruments that are no longer under warranty, or that were purchased elsewhere, may cost more to fix. Cracked shells on custom-molded devices can be expensive, but in some cases, these cracks can be repaired.

When Is Your Hearing Aid or Instrument Beyond Repair?

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

  1. Your devices are more than four years old. Hearing instruments typically last for three to five years. If your hearing instruments are beyond four years old, repair needs are likely to pile up, in which case it makes more financial sense to get some new devices.
  2. The damage is visible. Although the damage may not be as bad as it looks, if your hearing instrument has been stepped on or smashed in some other way, it may be unfixable.
  3. Your hearing instruments have an extensive repair history. If your hearing instrument has undergone multiple repairs for the same or different issues, it may be beyond saving. Much like a totaled car, a hearing instrument 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 units.

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 our practice can help you determine a proper course of action after diagnosing the damage and estimating repair costs. Extended warranty coverage for electronics is available through our various extended service packages.

If you’re having any trouble with your hearing instruments, please contact us. 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 instrument.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are hearing instruments easily broken?
Because of how small and light today’s hearing instruments 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.
Are hearing instruments waterproof?
A few brands are water resistant, meaning they’ll protect against humidity and condensation to a degree. Direct contact with liquid, or submersion, should be avoided.
Does insurance cover my hearing instrument repairs?
Contact your insurer’s customer service line to find out for sure, but typically, insurance does not cover the cost of hearing instrument repairs. Extended-coverage plans that protect against damage, however, are available for some hearing instruments at Family Audiology Associates. Please call our office to learn more about protecting your investment in better hearing!
How do I know if my hearing instruments are broken?
Only device diagnostics by a professional can determine that, but your devices might be broken if you have tried to troubleshoot them using the tips above, but are still experiencing difficulties getting them to work correctly.
What activities can damage hearing instruments?
If you aren’t using hearing instruments 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 instruments are not rated to withstand water.
Where can I repair my hearing instruments?
Our practice can help diagnose the problem with your technology, and we will offer a repair if fixing the device is possible. Extended warranty coverage for electronics through our various extended services packages is available for hearing instruments purchased through Family Audiology Associates.

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