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My hearing aid is not working, but my audiologist's office is closed due to COVID. What are my options?

Laura Robinson, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

01 April 2020 - 462 Views

First check your battery.  

Next, if it is a traditional earmold style, make sure the mold is clear. Use a wax tool or wire to make sure the opening is clear.

If it is a custom canal aid or completely in the canal aid, use the wax tool or a small pin to gently clean the end that goes in your ear.

If it is a RITE, pull off the dome.  If you have filters handy, change your filters. Replace the filter or clean it.

If it is still not working, contact the manufacturer of the hearing instrument (ie. Oticon, Widex, Signia etc.) and they will provide instructions on how you can send the device in yourself. Most manufacturers have this all set up during this COVID time and will direct ship the instrument back to you.


Hope this helps!

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Madison Levine

Hearing Healthcare Provider

01 April 2020 - 457 Views

I'm sorry to hear that you are having an issue at such an inopportune time. While many offices are completely closed, others may be open on an emergency basis. I have personally helped a few people with repairs by picking them up curbside at my office so that the patient does not need to come inside. You may need to call around to find someone who is open and able to service your brand. You could call local offices or even call your manufacturer for their help in locating someone. Before doing that, have you double checked that the batteries are working (if you use batteries, you can switch the suspect battery to your other working hearing aid to check it) and have you changed the wax guard/filter at the speaker-end of the aid (There are numerous Youtube videos that can demonstrate how to do this). If you have done both of those things then it is time to pursue finding someone else to help you. I hope this helps!


Perhaps you have aids from one of these manufacturers?

Starkey 1-800-721-3573

Oticon 1-855-400-9766

GN Resound 1-888-735-4327

Widex 1-844-497-8844

Signia 1-800-350-6093

Phonak 1-800-679-4871

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Jeffrey Cline, BC-HIS

Audiologist

06 April 2020 - 367 Views

We have many options at our office we are doing drive up programming from comfort of your car. We also can for most hearing instruments program and make adjustments for your home through your hearing instruments or cellphone. Tele-health is what it is called and we have become very good at assisting patients when they are unable to make it into our offices. You just need to contact us or your professional. 


Thank you 

Jeffrey C. Cline 

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Gene Woodard, PhD

Audiologist

01 April 2020 - 413 Views

My office is closed.  our phone message tells callers that we are closed but gives them options of ways to contact me, at least.  i have had several patients call, text or email me with issues about their hearing aids.  one patient from out of town had a receiver wire break.  i mailed him a replacement and made a short video that i sent to his phone showing him how to replace the receiver.  it worked great.   i've had other patients from out of town mail me their hearing aids, i have repaired and returned to them by mail.

we have a mail slot in our front door and several patients have left repairs by dropping in the mail slot. 

we are trying our best to keep the lines of communication open so we can help any of our patients who need help with problem hearing aids.

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Ronna Fisher, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

01 April 2020 - 427 Views

With one click of your phone, tablet or computer, you can connect with your doctor face to face.  Together, you can troubleshoot most possible problems.  

If the problem still exists, you can drive by any office where we will pick up the hearing aid and deliver it back to you.

Should the hearing aid require manufacturer repair, we will program a loaner hearing aid for you while yours is being fixed, and the manufacturer will ship the repaired aid directly to your home.


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Janette Call

Audiologist

01 April 2020 - 431 Views

First, it would be helpful to know what type of hearing aids you are wearing.  Some will have access to remote programming or virtual assistance from a provider anywhere.

Secondly, where are you located maybe someone else in your area is open
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Sheri Gostomelsky, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

01 April 2020 - 454 Views

I am glad that you reached out for help.  Call or email the provider's office with a message.  Just because we are not physically in the office, does not mean that we can not help you.  Most problems have been handled by phone or by video chat.  There are youTube videos to guide you through troubleshooting as well.  Be well.  Stay safe. 
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Amit Gosalia, AuD

Doctor

01 April 2020 - 455 Views

Your audiologist may still be available to telehealth/video conference (or even call you) you to troubleshoot. Send them an email. They may also consider a curbside drop-off service.
Audiologists, although doctors, are not considered life-sustaining, thus, really should be closed to patients (many who are high-risk for Covid-19). However, there are many ways we can still provide these services. Good luck!

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Rivka Strom, AuD

Audiologist

01 April 2020 - 457 Views

Perhaps you can leave a voicemail or send an email as there are many practices that are physically closed but have an audiologist available to call you back and troubleshoot over the phone or via zoom or similar format. Otherwise, there are a number of audiologists who are providing remote care. You can contact Hearing Tracker directly to find out if there are audiologists in your area available to assist you.
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Erin Rellinger, AuD

Audiologist

01 April 2020 - 457 Views

Many states are mandating that audiologists close because they are non-essential to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, your office should be maintaining phone support for patients. Did you leave a message for them to contact you for troubleshooting via the telephone? Do they have an email address you can contact? Many states have required that any in person care cease since they have determined that hearing is not life sustaining. Most of us would argue that hearing and communication is essential during a time of emergency which is why phone support is necessary from your practice. Your office may allow a curbside drop off for a repair with no contact or repair it via mail with no contact depending on your state rules. Unfortunately, this is not an option in all states and your office may not legally be able to provide any repair services until restrictions have been lifted. I'm going to provide you with some consumer hotlines in the event that the problem is easy to troubleshoot via telephone: Oticon 1-855-400-9766, Resound 1-888-735-4327, Widex 1-844-497-8844, Phonak 1-800-679-4871 and Signia 1-800-350-6093. I'm terribly sorry for your situation and I hope this challenging time resolves soon! 
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Carolyn Awender, AuD

Audiologist

01 April 2020 - 463 Views

Where are you located? We might be able to help.
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