William F. Austin, the founder of Starkey Hearing Technologies, explains the importance of hearing in a way that’s quite interesting: “Vision connects us with things; hearing connects us with people”. Hearing, laughter, language and music connects us to the world around us.
To hear the very best we can, the assistance of hearing aids is often required. We are always aware of the importance of hearing aids in the lives of individuals throughout the whole world. At Starkey, it’s our goal to provide informational resources regarding technological advancements and tips on maintenance and care for hearing aids, as well as listening strategies.
We’ve answered some of the most common hearing aid maintenance questions below so you can learn how to care for your hearing aids and maintain their optimal performance.
Q: What new features have been added to hearing aids since I purchased my last set?
A: If it has been 3 to 5 years since you last purchased your hearing aids, you can benefit from upgrading your technology. Hearing aid technology is constantly being updated and improved. The latest technology typically includes faster processing speeds, improved ability to hear in noisy environments, and wireless connectivity. The new hearing aid circuitry is able to process nearby sounds in milliseconds, eliminating whistling, while letting your hear clearly and comfortably in any environment. Furthermore, brand new technology, such as directional microphone technology and adaptive noise management systems significantly improve your hearing ability in loud, noisy listening situations.
Plus, the latest hearing aids (which is our Livio Edge AI product line) include new life-changing features that you may have never even thought were possible such as real-time language translations, brain and body tracking, fall detection and so much more.
Q: What is the lifespan of my hearing aids?
A: It’s customary to replace hearing aids every 3 to 5 years. Of course, they’re able to function longer than five years; however, replacing your hearing aid after 3 to 5 years gives you the opportunity to replace outdated circuitry, which will improve your quality of hearing. Often, repairing an old hearing aid that is no longer covered by warranty, may be more expensive than replacing the instrument completely. Cleaning your hearing aids daily and making routine appointments with your hearing professional helps to ensure optimal performance of your hearing aids over their lifetime.
Q: How often will my hearing aids need to be repaired?
A: It is not unusual for hearing aids to need some type of service each year, which is why hearing aids are sold with warranties and repair coverage. Because of their position in or behind your ear, hearing aids are exposed to the environment, such as: humidity, earwax, moisture, and debris. Although all of our most recent technology includes Surface™ Nanoshield technology to help prevent moisture from penetrating the hearing aid, performance can still be affected by these external factors. Cleaning your hearing aids every day and frequently replacing wax guards (check out our How-To videos to see how this can be done) will drastically reduce the amount of repairs they require.
Q: What should I do if my hearing aids do not seem to be working?
A: There are things you can check before calling your hearing healthcare professional for a “fix-it” appointment. First off, check and change the battery if needed. Then check the microphones and the receiver tube, the area that enters your ear canal, for blockage. For more instructions, check out these hearing aid tips from our Technical Support team or our maintenance and troubleshooting page!
If you’re unable to resolve the problem on your own, then you should contact your hearing professional and schedule an appointment. If the office can’t fix the aid, they will ship the hearing aid to the manufacturer for repair. If you have recently moved and need help finding an office, you can contact us at (888) 919-6824 or online at www.starkeycanada.ca/schedule-an-appointment