Repair or Replace Your Hearing Aid? How to Decide When It Stops Working

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

Whether to repair or replace a hearing aid depends on four things: what kind of fault it has, how old it is, whether your hearing has changed since it was fitted, and whether it is still under warranty. A small fault in a hearing aid that still suits your hearing is usually worth fixing; an aid that no longer matches your hearing test, or keeps failing, is often a candidate for replacement. The decision on the repair or replace hearing aid question is best made after the device is checked and your hearing is retested.

Many people only ask this question when a hearing aid suddenly goes quiet or starts whistling. Before deciding anything, it helps to rule out the simple causes, then look at the bigger picture with your audiologist.

First, check whether it is really broken

A surprising number of "broken" hearing aids are blocked, flat or simply set to the wrong program. Our hearing aid troubleshooter walks you through the common checks, and the article Hearing aid sounds weak or silent? A step-by-step checklist covers them in detail. In short:

Make sure the battery is fresh or the hearing aid is fully charged.
Look at the wax guard, dome or earmould tubing for wax or moisture.
Check that the volume and program have not been changed by accident.
If you use phone streaming, check whether the hearing aid is still connected to a phone in another room.

If the hearing aid works again after these steps, there is no repair-or-replace decision to make yet. If it does not, or if the problem keeps coming back, it is time for a professional check.

The four questions behind the decision

1. What kind of fault is it?

Faults fall roughly into two groups. Some are minor and related to parts that wear out with daily use, such as domes, wax guards, tubing or a blocked microphone opening. Others involve the internal electronics, the receiver, the casing or damage from a fall or from liquid. A minor fault is usually a strong argument for keeping the hearing aid. Damage inside the device needs to be assessed before anyone can say whether fixing it makes sense.

2. How old is the hearing aid?

Age on its own does not decide anything, but it changes the questions you ask. With an older hearing aid, it is reasonable to ask whether parts are still available, whether the same fault is likely to return, and whether the device still supports the way you use it today. With a newer device, a repair is more often the natural choice.

3. Has your hearing changed?

This is the question people most often skip. A hearing aid is programmed from your hearing test results. If your hearing has changed since the original fitting, a hearing aid that is technically "working" may still not be giving you enough help. A new hearing test shows whether the current device can be reprogrammed to match your hearing now, or whether its power or style no longer fits. Our hearing test service is the usual starting point, and no referral is needed.

4. Is it still under warranty?

Every Danavox hearing aid from Jordan Hearing & Speech comes with a one-year warranty that starts on the date of purchase. It covers manufacturing defects and maintenance, and during the warranty there is a periodic visit every three months that includes a hearing test (audiogram), programming and free maintenance.

The warranty does not cover breakage, misuse, cut wires or hearing aids dropped into liquids. It also has a condition: the hearing aids must not be programmed at another hearing centre, and no repair may be attempted by a technician who is not part of our centre. The full terms are listed on our hearing aids page. If your device is within its first year, bring it in before anyone else opens it, so that the warranty condition is respected.

When repair usually makes sense

Repair or maintenance is often the sensible route when:

The fault is minor or relates to a part that wears out with daily use.
Your hearing test shows little change, so the current programming still suits you.
You are comfortable with the style, the battery type and how you handle the device.
The hearing aid still does what you need, for example phone calls or TV streaming.

When replacement is worth discussing

It may be worth talking about a new hearing aid when:

Your hearing has changed and the current device cannot be programmed to cover it.
The same fault keeps coming back after earlier repairs.
Your needs have changed: you now want rechargeable power, phone streaming or easier handling.
The device has damage that is not covered, such as breakage or exposure to liquid, and the cost of fixing it is close to the cost of a replacement.

If you are looking at a replacement, our Danavox hearing aid fitting service covers selection, programming and follow-up. Danavox families in our catalogue include rechargeable models in KLAR, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP, while other models use disposable zinc-air batteries, so check the individual model rather than assuming. Technology levels across the families range from Essential and Essential Plus to Select, Advanced and Premium.

Cost questions to ask before you decide

We do not publish prices, and the cost of any repair or replacement depends on the device and the fault. Asking clear questions makes the comparison fairer:

Is the fault covered by the warranty, or is it excluded (breakage, misuse, cut wires, liquid)?
What exactly needs to be fixed or replaced, and why?
After the repair, will the device still suit my latest hearing test?
If I replace it, what decides the price: technology level, style, rechargeable or battery, one or two hearing aids, and any accessories?
What after-sales care comes with a new device, such as programming, fine-tuning and periodic check-ups?

These answers let you weigh a repair against a replacement on more than the first number you hear.

Practical tips while you decide

Do not try to open or fix the hearing aid yourself, and do not let a technician outside the centre attempt a repair if you want to keep the warranty condition.
Keep the device dry and stored in its case or charger.
Bring both hearing aids, the charger or spare batteries and any accessories to the appointment.
If your hearing has dropped suddenly, especially in one ear, seek medical care the same day. That is a medical issue, not a hearing aid fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to repair or replace an old hearing aid?

There is no single answer. If the fault is minor and your hearing test shows the device still suits you, repair is often reasonable. If your hearing has changed, the fault keeps returning, or your needs have changed, replacement may be worth discussing.

Does the warranty cover a hearing aid that fell in water?

No. Hearing aids dropped into liquids are not covered by the warranty, and neither are breakage, misuse or cut wires. Manufacturing defects and maintenance are covered for one year from the date of purchase, provided the hearing aids were not programmed at another hearing centre and no outside repair was attempted.

Do I need a hearing test before deciding?

It is strongly recommended. A hearing test shows whether the current device can still be programmed for your hearing, which is often the deciding factor between repair and replacement.

Can I get my old hearing aid reprogrammed instead of replaced?

It depends on the device, so ask first. Reprogramming is only possible if the device has enough range for your current hearing, and your audiologist can tell you after the hearing test and a check of the device. For a hearing aid bought elsewhere, call or WhatsApp us with the make and model first to ask whether we can help.

Book an appointment

If your hearing aid has stopped working well, book an appointment at our clinic in Bousher, Muscat, opposite Oman Mall, or call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373. We will check the device, retest your hearing if needed and explain your options through our Danavox hearing aid fitting service. For a hearing aid bought elsewhere, call or WhatsApp us with the make and model first to ask whether we can help.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
Danavox product information as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Hearing Aid Selection, Fitting, Programming & Follow-up