Daily Listening Check and Troubleshooting Your Child’s Hearing Aids

Care instructions

A listening check should be done every day, 1 time each day, on each hearing aid right before you put the hearing aids on your child. You do not need to repeat the listening check during the day unless you notice that your child is not responding as expected.

If your child’s hearing aids have indicator lights, you can check them throughout the day while your child is wearing their device to ensure they are working.

How to do a daily listening check of your child’s hearing aids

You will need a listening stethoscope to do this daily check.

With the earmold connected to the hearing aid, use the listening stethoscope to listen to each hearing aid. To make sure that your child’s hearing aid is working for a wide range of sounds, use the Low-Mid-High (LMH) speech sounds for the listening check:

• /ah/ as in hot
• /oo/ as in boot
• /ee/ as in feet
• /sh/ as in shoe
• /s/ as in sun
• /m/ as in me
• /n/ as in November
• /h/ as in hotel
• /z/ as in zoo
• /j/ as in judge

Speak each sound into the microphone of each hearing device at a normal, conversational volume. Listen for a clear sound signal through the listening stethoscope with no static, intermittency (sound that starts and stops), or distortion (sound that is fuzzy or not clear).

What to do if the listening check finds a problem: Troubleshooting your child’s hearing aid

The purpose of the daily listening check is to make sure your child’s hearing aid is working properly.

When you do the listening check, you may notice your child’s hearing aid doesn’t sound as good as it should. When this happens, use the list below to help decide what steps to take to figure out what the problem might be. You can also check your child’s hearing aid manual for more troubleshooting suggestions.

If the hearing aid is not making any sound:

• Check that the hearing aid is turned on.
• Check that the battery is fresh or fully charged. Learn more about batteries below.
• Check that the earmold is not blocked with wax.
• Check that the earmold tubing is intact and not blocked with moisture.
• Brush off the hearing aid microphone ports and check that they are not blocked with dirt or debris.

If the hearing aid sounds softer than usual:

• Change the battery. Learn more about batteries below.
• Listen to the hearing aid without the earmold. This can tell you if there is blockage in the earmold tubing.
• Check that the hearing aid microphone ports are not blocked with dirt or debris. Brush off the ports.

If the sound cuts in and out:

• Change or charge the battery. Learn more about batteries below.
• Check the battery compartment (if the hearing aid has one) for corrosion, and brush off. Corrosion usually looks like white powder.
• Check that the battery door (if the hearing aid has one) is firmly closed and making good contact with the rest of the hearing aid.
• If moisture is a possible issue, use your earmold blower and then place the hearing aid in a dry-aid kit.

If there is a static sound or if the sound is distorted:

• Change or charge the battery. Learn more about batteries below.
• Check the battery compartment (if the hearing aid has one) for corrosion, and brush off.
• If moisture is a possible issue, use your earmold blower and then place the hearing aid in a dry-aid kit.

If the hearing aid produces feedback when it is on the ear:

• Check that the earmold is inserted properly and that it fits snugly in the ear. Learn more about your child’s earmolds, feedback, and when to replace earmolds.
• Check that the earmold is attached to the hearing aid properly.
• Check for any damage or obstruction (blockage) in the earmold or the earmold tubing.

If you troubleshoot your child’s hearing aid and the problem is not fixed, call your audiologist’s office.

Checking and changing hearing aid batteries

If your child’s hearing aids have disposable zinc air (non-rechargeable) batteries, then it is important to check them regularly to make sure they are still working.

Test the hearing aid battery with a battery tester. Change the battery if it is dead or low.

When you put in a new battery, remove the sticker on the new battery and then let the battery sit exposed to the air for a few minutes. This will activate the battery fully. If the battery is not fully activated, sound can be intermittent and the battery may not last as long.

When you buy hearing aids, a battery tester will typically be one of the accessories that is included with the hearing aid. If you have questions, talk with your audiologist about how to use the battery tester.

How to do a listening check of remote microphone hearing aid technology (RM-HAT)

To check that the RM-HAT transmitter is connected to your child’s hearing aid:

1. Turn the transmitter on.
2. Make sure the receiver is connected to the transmitter.
3. Set the transmitter close to a sound source, such as a radio or television.
4. Attach the listening stethoscope to the earmold connected to the hearing aid.
5. Turn on the sound source and move away from the transmitter and the sound source.
6. Listen to the sound source through the listening stethoscope.
7. Listen for a clear sound signal with no static, intermittency, or distortion.

To see this information online and learn more, visit https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_check_ts_hearingaid_child_inst.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: February 3, 2023

Author: Provincial Audiology Professional Practice, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.