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What to do if your hearing aids need adjusting or repairing

You may be able to get an appointment to have your hearing aids repaired or adjusted but this will depend on what needs doing, and the availability of your hearing aid provider. 

Contact your hearing aid provider

Many hearing aid providers offer a postal repair service. This means you can send your hearing aids to your provider and have them sent back once they’ve been repaired.

If you have trouble contacting your provider, contact us – we can help you find information on who to contact.

Do not visit your hearing aid provider unless they have told you to.

Solving common hearing aid problems

In some cases, problems with hearing aids can be solved at home. If you feel confident to try this, you might find the information on this page helpful. If you do not want to try this, or if you’re unsure, you should contact your hearing aid provider.

If you have not been wearing hearing aids for very long, our tips for adjusting to hearing aids might help.

You can also watch videos that troubleshoot common hearing aid problems.

If you’re still not sure what’s wrong with your hearing aid and would like some advice, you should contact your hearing aid provider. 

Hearing no sound, or very muffled sound

If you’re having trouble hearing things with your hearing aid, you should check:

  • that the hearing aid is fitted comfortably
  • that the hearing aid is switched on properly
  • the volume control on your hearing aid is set correctly, if it has one
  • that you haven’t switched your hearing aid to the hearing loop setting by accident
  • that there isn’t moisture or wax in the tubing
  • that the earmould or soft tip (if your hearing aid has one) isn’t blocked with ear wax
  • to see if the wax filter needs changing, if you have an in-the-ear or a receiver-in-the-ear hearing aid
  • that the battery is the right way round or if it needs replacing.

Hearing whistling or squeaking noises

If you’re hearing whistling or squeaking noises from your hearing aid, this might mean that:

  • the hearing aid isn’t in your ear properly. Check it by taking it out and gently pushing it back in
  • you have a build-up of ear wax.

You should contact your hearing aid provider if:

  • you need a new earmould
  • the hearing aid tone hook (‘elbow’) is broken
  • the hearing aid is not producing any, or very little sound, even after troubleshooting
  • your hearing aids sound distorted
  • you have lost a hearing aid.

Get the most from your hearing aids

We’ll soon be launching a new tool to help people with their hearing aids.

Page last updated: 21 March 2024

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