Yesterday you were all ears, but today—figuratively speaking—you’ve got “tomatoes on your ears”—even with your hearing aids on. The answer to the riddle: Like all technical devices, hearing aids can malfunction or no longer fit properly. The result: Your hearing gets worse again, or you become reluctant to wear your hearing aids.

The good news: People who use hearing aids benefit from a wide range of maintenance and repair services. In this article, we explain what you can do yourself to care for your hearing aids, who can help with maintenance and repairs, and who pays for hearing aid repairs.

Hearing aids are precision high-tech devices. When handled correctly, they are very durable and reliable aids in everyday life. However, like all technical devices, hearing aids require maintenance and may experience malfunctions. These include, for example, reduced amplification, clogged filters, defective microphones or receivers, or a loose or tight fit.

In most cases, the panic caused by the malfunction is greater than the actual problem, and all you need to do is replace the battery. You can even replace the battery yourself or ask for help doing so.

In most cases, the panic caused by the malfunction is greater than the actual problem, and all you need to do is replace the battery. You can even replace the battery yourself or ask someone to help you.

Well-maintained hearing aids last significantly longer: They work more reliably, are less prone to malfunctions, remain hygienic, and therefore need to be replaced less often. In addition, hearing aids must fit comfortably, because only then will people be willing to wear them consistently.

• Clean them daily using a dry cloth and a special brush for the openings.
• Store hearing aids overnight in a drying case or an electric drying system.
• Change the filters regularly to maintain sound quality.
• Make sure to replace batteries in a timely manner and charge rechargeable batteries correctly. Avoid deep discharge and do not store rechargeable batteries at extreme temperatures.
• Check the small silicone domes regularly and replace them when worn.
• Carefully clean custom-fit ear molds or earpieces and consistently protect your hearing aids from moisture and high humidity.

In addition, you should have your hearing aids professionally maintained and checked by a hearing care professional on a regular basis to ensure they fit properly and function correctly.

Health insurance, the manufacturer, or out of pocket? Hearing aid users are often unsure about which services are covered, by whom—and whether they are covered at all. In addition to the service fee—also known as a maintenance or repair fee—hearing aids always come with a statutory warranty and, in most cases, an additional voluntary warranty.

Through the service fee (also known as the “maintenance fee” or “repair fee”), the statutory health insurance provider contributes toward the costs of service and repair work over the coverage period (usually six years). This includes, for example, maintenance work, minor repairs, technical inspections, and, if necessary, the replacement of wear-and-tear parts within the scope of the flat fee.

As with other technical products in the EU, hearing aids are generally covered by a statutory warranty of 24 months from the date of purchase. During the first twelve months, the law presumes that the defect existed from the outset; the seller must prove otherwise. Therefore, the seller is obligated to repair or replace the hearing aids. Between 13 and 24 months after purchase, the customer must prove that the defect was already present at the time of delivery.

In addition to professional cleaning, hearing aid specialists also offer repairs and replacement parts. These hearing care experts know how to properly document the issue for health insurance providers and can assess whether a repair is worthwhile or if a new device is necessary. They’ll also inform you about the exact amount of reimbursement your health insurance provider will cover for hearing aids.

Do you have any questions about service, costs, repairs, or your new hearing aids?

Visit your local hearing care professional or learn more at Ihr-Hörgerät.de—we’re here to help you achieve the best possible hearing.