Why Does My Hearing Aid Keep Beeping?

Several reasons could cause a hearing aid to start beeping. There is usually a very simple explanation that can easily be diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT). The reason for the beeps will largely be dependent on the type of hearing aid you may have.

Models

An ear, nose and throat specialist will understand the differences between each type of hearing aid and will be aware of the variations between different manufacturer’s makes and models. The three common hearing aid types are:

• Behind the ear (BTE) is the most frequently used hearing aid. A BTE is typically a discreet plastic device that sits behind your ear and is connected to your ear by a small plastic tube.
• In the ear (ITE) fills the area of your ear outside the opening of your ear canal. ITE’s are quite discreet as they are flat to the ear and therefore cannot be seen when sitting face on with another person.
• In the canal (ITC) are similar to ITEs but they only fill the canal of the ear and not the area outside. ITCs are most commonly used for people with minor levels of hearing loss and many may progress from an ITC to an ITE or BTE aid in the future.

Knowing which model you use will help you assess and diagnose your hearing aid malfunction.

Typical causes

The first thing you should check is whether your battery is low. Your battery may need to be changed or if it is rechargeable may need to be plugged in for charging. Try swapping the battery out with a new or fully charged battery to see if this resolves the issue.

You should also ascertain if you are accidentally switching programs or increasing the volume by mistake. Try shifting the position of the hearing aid to make sure that you are not accidentally hitting a button when you are wearing it. Try to make sure the hearing aid is positioned in such a way that the button will not be pressured by clothing or your body as you go about your usual daily activities.

If you have checked for both of these issues and you are still hearing beeping then an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor may help you resolve the issue. The first thing an ENT specialist will try to assess is whether there is a build-up of cerumen in the ear.

Cerumen is more commonly known as earwax. If there is a build-up of earwax within your ear then this can create feedback that sounds like beeping to the wearer. A deep clean of the ear and the device will usually solve this problem and the hearing aid can be worn without the need for any repairs.

If the ear is clear of cerumen then the beeping is likely to be caused by a fault with the device and a diagnostic troubleshooting appointment may be able to identify this. Some common problems that can cause beeping include:

• A button may have gotten stuck causing a circuit malfunction.
• The hearing aid is losing its connection with its partner aid.
• Poor contact with the battery
• A damaged module
• A circuit cutting out intermittently

Some of the issues may be able to be resolved at the appointment, others may need the device to be sent back to the manufacturer.

Warranty

If your device needs to be sent back to a manufacturer you should check the status of any warranty you may have. If the warranty has run out or was not applied to your device, you should ask for a guideline on how much any repair may cost.

It may be that the costs are prohibitive, and it may be sensible to be fitted for a new device. In which case an ENT specialist will be able to assess the current extent of your hearing loss and recommend a device suitable for your use.

If you have any problems with a hearing aid such as intermittent or constant beeping, then it is best to get this resolved quickly to ensure it does not impact your daily life. An ear, nose and throat doctor will have a wealth of experience and will be able to help remedy any issue. Look out for reputable and respected ENT specialists, such as Vero ENT associates to provide you with any care you may need.

To learn more about Vero ENT Associates and the services they provide then do not hesitate to call us today at (772) 408-9556. A member of Vero ENT Associates will happily make you an appointment to be seen by one of their dedicated specialists who can advise on any hearing aid issues you may have.