Transcript Hearing Aid Troubleshooting

Hearing Aid Troubleshooting
Amy Mellonig
Nancy Lucas
Kim Smith
Listening Check
Listen for:
•
•
•
•
•
No output
Muffled sound
Feedback
Distortion
Intermittent sound
Without earmold
With earmold
Listening Check
• Turn the hearing aid on
and speak while turning
the volume control wheel
slowly up and down
• Use of the sounds /a/, /u/,
/e/, /sh/, and /s/ are a good
measure of the frequency
response of the hearing aid
• The hearing aid should be
squeezed while do the
listening check to check
for intermittent sound
No Output
No Output
• Battery• Replace
battery
• Check battery
with battery
tester
No Output
• Make sure that
positive and negative
terminal of battery are
in proper position in
the battery
compartment
No Output
• Make sure you
have the correct
type of battery
for the aid.
No Output
• Check for corrosion
on battery
compartment. This
can be removed with a
pencil eraser.
No Output
• Check external
switches• Check to see that
external switch is not
set to “telecoil” or
“off” position.
No Output
• Earmolds• Check to see that earmold
is not impacted with wax.
• The earmold may be
washed with warm soapy
water.
• Be sure that earmold is
completely dry before
putting it back in the ear.
No Output
• Tubing• Make sure that tubing
is not collapsed or
clogged.
No Output
• Moisture• Check for moisture
• If the hearing aid is wet, place aid in dry aid container
Review-No output
Review-No output
•
•
•
•
•
•
Test or replace battery
Make sure battery is inserted correctly
Make sure correct type of battery is being used
Check for corrosion on battery contact
Correct setting on external switches
Check to see that ear wax is not impacted on the opening
of the earmold
• Make sure tubing is not collapsed or clogged
• Check for moisture
• If the problem is unresolved, consult an audiologist
Hearing aid weak
Weak/Muffled Sound
• Nearly exhausted
battery
• Battery that registers
1.0 volts or less should
be discarded
• If battery leakage
occurs, discard battery
properly
Muffled/Weak Sound
• Check for dirty or
clogged microphone
screen
Muffled/Weak Sound
• Earmold almost
completely clogged
with wax
Review-muffled/weak sound
Review Muffled/Weak Sound
•
•
•
•
Check for nearly exhausted battery
Discard battery if leakage occurs
Microphone opening dirty or clogged
Earmold almost completely clogged with
wax
• If internal defects are suspected, consult
audiologist
Feedback
Feedback
• Volume control setting
is too high
Feedback
• Improper fitting of
earmold
Feedback
• Crack in tubing
Feedback
• With the volume control
set at normal setting, put
finger over earmold
opening and listen for
feedback. If no feedback
occurs, then feedback is
due to volume control or
improper fitting of the
earmold. If feedback still
occurs . . .
Feedback
• Remove earmold, and
place finger over
earhook. If feedback
does not occur, then
the problem is in the
earmold or tubing. If
feedback still occurs. .
Feedback
• Remove earhook, and
place finger over opening
of the aid. If feedback
does not occur, then the
problem was in the
earhook. If feedback still
occurs, it is “internal
feedback” and consult an
audiologist.
Review-feedback
Review Feedback
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check volume control setting
Improper fitting of earmold
Crack in tubing
Check for feedback in earmold/tubing
Check for feedback in earhook
Check for internal feedback
If internal feedback is suspected, consult an audiologist
Distortion
Distortion
• Distortion can be characterized as sounding
scratchy, having static, weak volume or a
“motorboating” effect.
Distortion
• Check for corrosion
on battery contacts and
terminals
• Clean contacts with
battery contact cleaner
(follow instructions
carefully)
Distortion
• Defective volume
control
• Change battery
• Check for moisture
Distortion
• Check for covered or
clogged microphone
opening
Distortion
• Excessive wax in ear
in student’s ear
Distortion
• Earmold needs venting
Review-Distortion
Review Distortion
• Check for corrosion on battery terminal
• Change battery
• Check microphone opening if it is covered or
clogged
• Excessive wax in child’s ear
• Earmold needs venting
• Moisture in hearing aid
• Defective volume control
• If problem is unresolved, consult an audiologist
Intermittent
Intermittent Sound
• May be characterized by scratchy sound or
hearing aid sounding like it is going on and
off
Intermittent Sound
• Corrosion on battery
contacts and battery
terminal
Intermittent Sound
• If tubing collapses,
sound may cut off
Intermittent Sound
• Make sure that the
battery is correctly
seated and snug in
battery compartment
Intermittent Sound
• Possible defective
volume control
• Possible internal
problems
Review-Intermittent
Review- Intermittent Sound
• Check for corrosion on battery contacts and
terminals
• Make sure battery is correctly seated and
snug in battery compartment
• Make sure tubing does not collapse or bend
when head is turned
• Defective volume control
• If internal problems are suspected, consult
an audiologist
Routine Care of
Hearing Aid
Routine care
• Avoid high
temperatures- Don’t
leave hearing aid on the
radiator or in the direct
sunlight, or any other
equipment that generates
heat. Heat can damage the
hearing aid amplifier and
can cause batteries to
deteriorate.
Routine care
• Avoid Moisture- Keep
hearing aid dry. Even
perspiration can cause
damage. If the child has
trouble with excessive
perspiration, you can
purchase a dry aid kit.
Place the aid in the kit
overnight and it should be
dry in the morning.
Routine care
• Battery Care• Keep several spare batteries
handy in case battery goes dead.
• Store batteries in a cool dry
place.
• Remove batteries from the aid
at night to prolong battery life.
• Keep battery contacts bright
and clean. Poor contacts can
contribute to loss of power and
may result in a “frying” sound
in the hearing aid.
• Discard dead batteries properly
Routine care
• About the earmold- Keep the earmold clean. If
the opening becomes clogged with wax, clean it
gently. Do not use alcohol to clean the earmold.
Earmold should be cleaned occasionally with soap
and water. Be sure earmold is dry before you put
it back on the child.
Routine care
• Protect the aid from hard knocks- The
hearing aid is a delicate mechanism. Avoid
dropping it or bumping it against hard
object.
Routine care
• Removing the aid- Get into the habit of turning the
switch to the “OFF” position before you remove the aid.
When the switch is in the “ON” position, that battery is
discharging whether the child is wearing the hearing aid or
not. If the aid doesn’t have an “OFF” switch, open the
battery compartment so that the battery is not touching the
battery contacts.
Routine care
• Repairs-Do not attempt to repair the hearing aid. If the
aid is not functioning properly, ask the audiologist, or
hearing aid dealer’s assistance. Many times a loaner aid
can be supplied by a hearing aid dispenser while the aid is
being repaired. When in doubt ask a friendly audiologist!
The End