Professional Hearing Aid Repair in Brooklyn, NYC
Hearing aids are an investment into better hearing, but they have the potential to improve your overall health and limit your risk for developing dementia, balance disorders, and various mental health problems. However, when your hearing aids malfunction, are broken, or don’t perform as designed, you can miss out on the benefits they provide.
Manufacturers are producing more advanced hearing aid models with water and dust resistance as well as the capacity to limit wax buildup in your device, but your ears are a very challenging environment for digital electronics to operate in.
Because these highly customized devices have delicate, high-tech components to enhance the sound you hear, repairs must be handled by trained hearing instrument specialists with the equipment, experience, and expertise to make them perform as designed.
Is there a professional hearing aid specialist able to provide hearing aid repair near me?
ZN Audiology has a repair technician with the necessary equipment and expertise to offer the best onsite hearing aid repair services for Forest Hills and Brooklyn, NYC.
Tips for Maintaining Your Hearing Aids
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Daily wiping with a clean, dry cloth
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Removing the earmold from the hook, wiping it down daily, and soaking it in warm, soapy water once a week to prevent staining and discoloration
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Allowing the earmold to dry overnight before using it again
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Avoiding the use of alcohol on earmolds, as this can damage the material
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Having the tubing changed every six months or according to your audiologist’s personal recommendations
Proper care for your in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids should include:
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Wiping them down with a clean, dry cloth or a moist cleaning wipe
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Not allowing any liquid to get into the microphone or any other opening
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Changing the wax filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendation (if applicable)
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Using a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the microphone port and other openings
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Holding the device downward so built-up wax or debris can fall out of the device
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Wiping off your hearing aids with a soft cloth or a tissue after you’re done removing wax
Drying and Storing Your Hearing Aids
Regardless of the style of hearing aids you use, make sure that all parts are dry before reassembly. If you are able, invest in a drying box, which circulates warm air around the hearing aids to dry the device. NEVER use a hairdryer or the microwave to dry your hearing aids.
Store your hearing aids in a safe place, preferably inside a hard case to avoid loss or damage. Also avoid storing them in direct sunlight, where they can be damaged by UV rays, in order to avoid warping and distortion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Aid Repair
What are some common problems that can occur with hearing aids?
The three most common problems that lead to repair are wax buildup, moisture, and damaged or defective components.
How long does hearing aid repair typically take?
Most simple repairs can be done while you wait, but sometimes we need a little extra time, or we have to send them to the manufacturer for repair. In either case, we do our best to get them back into your ears ASAP or provide you with a loaner pair if you have to wait.
When should I replace my hearing aids rather than have them repaired?
There are three situations where replacing your hearing aids makes more sense than having them repaired:
- Irreversible damage to devices that are no longer covered by warranty
- Devices are no longer under warranty and require frequent repair
- Devices are five years old or older—replacement will allow you to take advantage of new technology in a rapidly changing industry
Is hearing aid repair covered by insurance?
As a general rule of thumb, if your hearing aids are covered by your health insurance policy, repair and maintenance are usually covered as well.
Why should I trust you to repair my hearing aids?
Our hearing aid repair specialist has the proper training and equipment to deal with specific hearing aid repair issues and has access to the parts needed to get your hearing aids back in working order.
Can I repair my own hearing aids at home?
Your hearing aid is a finely tuned, advanced-technology digital device, so it’s better to focus your attention on basic troubleshooting and keeping them clean and dry and protected from falls, and leave hearing aid repair to properly trained experts.
How much does hearing aid repair cost?
Most repair costs for hearing aids less than two years old are covered under your warranty. Repair costs for an out-of-warranty hearing aid with a broken microphone, broken earmold, a short, or water damage can run as much as $400, while extensive damage may cost significantly more.
Our Repair Service
Our hearing aid repair specialist provides emergency hearing aid repair as well as ongoing troubleshooting and maintenance. A major advantage of working with our hearing aid repair specialist is the relationships we maintain with manufacturers, such as:
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Oticon
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Phonak
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Starkey
In most cases, we can diagnose the problem with your malfunctioning hearing aid, repair it while you wait, and get it back in your ear during a single office visit. There are times when we will have to order parts from the manufacturer to repair your broken hearing aid.
For more extensive damage, we may have to send it back to the manufacturer for repair, but we’ll use express delivery to send and receive it, so you’ll get them back as soon as possible.
If you have to wait for hearing aid repair, we’ll make sure that you have loaner hearing aids so you can continue your daily routine without skipping a beat. The loaner pair will be close to, though perhaps not exactly like, your usual pair, so they’ll be easy to use and adjust to.
Schedule a Hearing Aid Repair Appointment
Hearing aids not only make it possible to hear better, but they also make it possible to continue your independent lifestyle. When you’re dealing with a broken or malfunctioning hearing aid, you are no longer able to enjoy the benefits they provide, so ZN Audiology keeps a hearing aid repair technician on our staff to help with troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair services.
Regardless of the problem you’re experiencing, you can continue to get the most out of your hearing aid investment by submitting the adjacent form to schedule a hearing aid repair appointment with our hearing instrument specialist.
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