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Hearing Aid Repairs
The Better Business Bureau in a national survey reported in its publication FACTS ABOUT HEARING AIDS that “It is estimated that the average life of a hearing aid in daily use is about three years. During this time, it is likely that the aid will need to be repaired and serviced.”
Many persons who have obtained hearing aids thought that the instruments they obtained were for the rest of their life. Unfortunately this is not always realistic. There are not many electro-acoustic products that last a lifetime. Hearing instruments certainly do not.
A famous hearing aid design pioneer and engineer described hearing aids as follows:
“A hearing aid is an ultra-miniature electroacoustic device that is always too large. It must amplify sounds a million times and not bring in any noise. It must operate in a cloud of talcum powder, a sea of perspiration, or both without failure. It is an item which one puts off buying for ten years after it is needed but cannot do without for 30 minutes when it has to be serviced.”
Hearing instruments are affected by external heat and cold, skin oils, condensation of moisture inside the instrument, salt from perspiration, hair- spray and perfume, dandruff, earwax, wear and tear to mechanical parts, and vibration and shock. All of these items, sometimes alone and sometimes several together, are the causes of repairs.
Repair Facts
When an instrument is sent for service the laboratory will service it to meet the original electroacoustic performance characteristics within accepted tolerance ranges. A repaired instrument may not sound like it before it was repaired, especially if it had been diminishing in performance over a period of time.
What is inside your hearing aid? The figure above shows a cut-away of the construction of a new in-the-canal hearing aid. It is a more complicated device than most laymen think.
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A repaired instrument is just that, a ‘repaired’ aid. You should not expect that a repaired aid is just like new. Hearing aid repairs can, unfortunately, make other repairs necessary. These re-repairs are not usually the same problem that was originally corrected. When an instrument needs service for one problem there are often other components that are also wearing and will need replacement. If the need for re-repair occurs soon after the first repair, it will often be covered by the repair warranty and be done at no additional cost.
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Once a hearing instrument begins to need repairs, it often follows that more repairs will be needed.
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Most hearing instruments can be repaired for several years after the original purchase date.
NOTE: When your instrument is in for repair have your ear mold checked as well. Molds need to be replaced periodically and can be a cause of reduced hearing.
Replacement Hearing Aids
“How long will my hearing instrument ~ is a good question. There is not one answer. This electro-acoustical device can last for many years with repairs and careful maintenance by the user. An average often quoted is around three years. But YOUR hearing loss is unique to you. Annual hearing tests are your best protection. It is a fact that many nerve hearing losses are progressive, which means they get worse over time. Your hearing loss, once it has been determined that you will use hearing instruments, should be rechecked annually by your hearing professional. No one can say at what rate your hearing will decline.
When your hearing loss drops to certain levels for tones and speech you will need a new fitting to get the best results from hearing instruments. A comparison to glasses is a good one. When your eyes get worse you get new lenses to see better. The same is true for hearing instrument wearers. Another common reason to replace your hearing aids involves technical improvements. Recent years have brought exciting innovations in hearing aid design. Some clients replace their hearing aids for better quality sound that is now available through technology.
The final question of replacement of YOUR hearing aids will best be answered by your hearing aid professional who understands your needs
Blue Bell Hearing Aid Center, Inc.
Home Page | Hearing Evaluation | Hearing Services | Additional Services
805 N. Bethleham Pike Spring House, PA
19477 (215) 641-1317
alicia@heargal.com