Everyone who has a hearing aid is going to need it to be repaired at some point.  Some repairs are because a component (such as a microphone or receiver) has failed.  The vast majority of repairs aren’t due to a component failing.  The hearing aid isn’t working properly because of wax or moisture.

What’s the deal with Wax?

Ear canals produce wax.  It’s part of their job.  Wax helps keep the ear canal lubricated.  Some people’s ear canals produce more wax than others.  It’s typically not a problem - unless it collects on the end of your hearing aid (or earmold) and plugs it up.  If that happens your hearing aids aren’t going to work the way they are supposed to, and you won’t hear as well using them as you did before they became clogged.

Why isn’t my Hearing Aid working - Does it Need to be Repaired?

If it’s just wax at the tip of your earmold or the receiver opening it probably doesn’t need to be repaired - it just needs to be cleaned.  If you wear eyeglasses and there is a smear on the lens, you can’t see as well, but there isn’t anything wrong with your glasses.  They just need to be cleaned.  Hearing aids are the same way in many cases.  If your hearing aids use wax guards (most of the better ones do) the wax guard may need to be changed.  If you wear a Behind The Ear (BTE) aid it may just be that your earmold needs to be cleaned.  At Hearing Aid Express we will clean any hearing aid you purchase from us for free for as long as you own it.

What About Moisture?

Hearing aids use electrical components to make them work.  A battery powers the microphone, computer chip and receiver.  Nothing electronic likes any kind of moisture.  Most hearing aid problems related to moisture aren’t due to water coming from the outside, like rain (but don’t wear them in the shower!).  Moisture problems are usually due to sweating.  As with wax, some people sweat more than others.  If you are a “heavy sweater” you need to be more diligent to make sure it doesn’t cause problems with your hearing aid.

So How Do I Avoid Hearing Aid Repairs?

For wax issues, be sure to change your wax guards regularly.  You should take your hearing aids in a few times a year to have them cleaned and checked to make sure they are working properly.  For people who purchase their hearing aids from us this service is free for as long as you own them (try doing THAT with a place that sells hearing aids online!).

For moisture, the main thing is to keep the moisture from getting in the hearing aid to begin with, and if moisture gets in your hearing aids to get it out as soon as possible.

This is usually done using a hearing aid dryer.  Some dryers use a dessicant (material that absorbs moisture).; others use heat or air to dry your hearing aids.  The most effective dryers use a dessicant and forced air (blowing through the drying chamber) to dry out your hearing aid.  Operating a dryer is easy.  You open the battery door of your hearing aid and put it in the dryer - typically while you sleep.  Hearing Aid Express offers a variety of hearing aid dryers - from the dessicant type to forced air dryers.

What should I do if I think my Hearing Aid has Wax or Moisture Problems?

That’s easy - bring it in to us.  We’d be glad to clean and check your hearing aids - for free.  We will let you know if you need a new wax guard or if you might benefit from a hearing aid dryer.  You may just need your hearing aids cleaned.   While you are visiting us be sure to get some batteries.  We still have fresh hearing aid batteries for only 50 cents each.

First let’s look at who Beltone actually is. 

Beltone is one division (out of 4 divisions) of the GN ReSound Group.  Information on all four groups can be found here:  www.gnresound-group.com/our_brands.html   GN stands for Great Nordic, which is based in Denmark, and is one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world.  They are the parent company of the GN ReSound Group which includes ReSound and Beltone.

Where Does Beltone fit in this Group?

Beltone is part of a network of dealers around the country.  The stores are typically owned by a Beltone dealer who has the rights to sell Beltone hearing aids in a certain geographic area.  They are a “captive network”, meaning they typically offer only Beltone brand hearing aids.  Beltone offices don’t carry hearing aids from manufacturers such as ReSound, Starkey, Siemens, etc.  If you want a Beltone hearing aid you have to get it from a Beltone dealer; if you want to choose from other brands you have to go somewhere else.

What about ReSound Hearing Aids?

ReSound hearing aids are manufactured by the same GN ReSound group.  These hearing aids are offered outside of a network.  They are dispensed by Doctor’s offices, Audiology clinics and Licensed Hearing Aid Dispensers.  Since these offices are not usually part of a network, they can (and typically do) offer hearing aids from more than one manufacturer.  This gives potential customers greater choice since they aren’t limited to choosing hearing aids from only one manufacturer.  As Great Nordic’s flagship brand, ReSound hearing aids typically get the newest technology advances before the other brands in the group (including Beltone).

Is GN ReSound Group the Only Company to offer Hearing Aids under Different Names?

No, a number of hearing aid manufacturers do this.  Miracle Ear hearing aids are manufactured by Siemens; Audibel and Nu-Ear hearing aids are manufactured by Starkey.

So are Beltone Hearing Aids Any Good?

Sure they are.  There is nothing wrong with the quality of Beltone hearing aids.  They are made using the same components - microphones, computer chips, receivers - as ReSound hearing aids.  They are both manufactured by one of the leading hearing aid companies in the world.

Why would I buy a Beltone Hearing Aid instead of a ReSound Hearing Aid?

Beats me.  With ReSound you have the same or newer technology.  ReSound hearing aids typically cost less (because many places carry them; they compete for your business.  You can only buy Beltone hearing aids at one place - the local Beltone dealer).  Plus, if you are in an office that carries ReSound hearing aids they probably carry other brands as well.  We do.  What if you prefer a brand other than ReSound (or Beltone)?  We think you should have more choices.

Hearing Aids are More Fashionable

Hearing Aids are becoming more and more fashionable these days.  It seems that the younger generations are losing their hearing at a earlier age and therefore want hearing aids that look great or can’t be seen at all.

Hearing Aids Geared Towards Baby Boomers

According to an article that appeared this month in The Virginian-Pilot, that as more and more baby boomers are moving into the hearing loss world; marketers of hearing aids are working on more discreet and fashionable hearing aids to appeal to this demographic.

Hearing aids are popping up in fashionable colors with fashionable names, according the article by Elizabeth Simpson.  Hearing Aids can now be found in red, lime green and black and silver.

Hearing Aids are Needed More Often

Maybe these marketers are on to something with creating more fashionable hearing aids.  According to a study done by Johns Hopkins University, one in three American adults suffer from some hearing loss.  It seems that the increase in use of personal stereos, blue tooth, and hands-free cell phones might have something to do with this increase in hearing loss.  Not to mention, with all the modern medicines, Americans are living longer which increases their risk of experiencing hearing loss.

The study also states that high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking can also increase your change of experiencing some degree of hearing loss.  It is recommended that you begin getting your hearing tested as early as young adulthood.

Hearing Aids:  Hear What You’ve Been Missing

If you think that you might be experiencing some degree of hearing loss, visit HearingAidExpress.com and take our self-evaluation.  There is also a frequently asked questions section that may address some concerns that you have regarding hearing loss.  You can also call one of our customer service agents who will be more than happy to assist you.

HearingAidExpress carries a large line of hearing aids, including ones in Pure Passion … otherwise known as red.