Troubleshooting guide: Sound isn’t coming through on your hearing aids
It’s a common but annoying problem. Learn reasons it may happen and fixes to try at home.
Putting in your hearing aids each day is part of your morning routine. Normally, your devices work like a charm. But let’s say you pop them in and no sound comes through. And now you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong.
Sound issues can happen for a variety of reasons. All hearing aids have a microphone, amplifier, speaker and battery.1 Any of these elements — or other parts on the hearing aid — could be the source of sound glitches.
Try not to stress. There are several quick trouble shooting steps anyone can try when your hearing aids don’t seem to be working, says Katherine Neufeld, Au.D. She’s an audiologist and director of Brighter Hearing based in Savannah, Georgia.
Check that your hearing aids are turned on
This may seem obvious, but make sure the power is on. Some hearing aid models turn on automatically when you remove them from the charging station or close the battery door. Others may have an on-off button you need to press.
Make sure the batteries are working
If your hearing aids use rechargeable batteries, check that they were fully charged overnight. “There is typically an indicator light on the back of the hearing aid,” says Neufeld. “Usually, the indicator lights will be green when the aid is charged.”
Do you have button-style disposable batteries? Try putting in a new battery.2 This usually needs to be done every 3 to 7 days, depending on how many hours a day you wear the hearing aids. Also check that the battery is in the compartment the right way.3 The positive sign (+) on the battery should touch the positive sign in the compartment.
Examine your device for wax or dirt
Do a visual examination of the hearing aid. Look for any clogs or buildup on the microphone and receiver. “You can use a soft cloth or an Audio-Wipe, which is a special cleaning wipe for hearing aids, to gently remove any debris you can see,” says Neufeld. Expert tip: Get in the habit of wiping down your hearing aids every night after you take them out.
Replace the wax guard
Most hearing aids have a wax guard (also called a wax trap or filter) on the receiver. You can change this at home.4 The wax guard protects the device from ear wax and debris. But it could get clogged with ear wax, which may obstruct the sound.
On receiver-in-canal models, the wax guard and the dome that you insert in your ear canal can both be replaced. “You should have a supply of both handy at all times,” says Neufeld. “I recommend proactively changing these pieces at least once a month.”
What if you have an in-the-ear model or a custom earpiece? These devices should also have some type of wax guard that you can change. Ask your hearing care professional if you’re not sure.
Do a volume check
Sometimes you may have turned down the volume or muted it by mistake. Double-check that the volume is turned up. Do this on your hearing aid’s app if your devices are Bluetooth-enabled. Or some hearing aids have a volume button on the device that you can adjust. “With rechargeable hearing aids, if you place them on the charger, it will reset the volume,” says Neufeld.
What if you tried all these troubleshooting tips and you still can’t hear sound through your hearing aids? It’s time to have them looked at by a hearing care professional. Your devices may need to be adjusted or repaired.
Through UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost — and a trial period to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.
Sources
- Hearing aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed March 19, 2025.
- Frequently asked questions about hearing aids Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed March 19, 2025.
- Daily care and troubleshooting tips for hearing aids American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed March 19, 2025.
- Troubleshooting hearing aids Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed March 19, 2025.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.
