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Phonak hearing aids not working

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A relative has recently left hospital after a long stay, having had a rough time of it issues are being compounded by their hearing aids not working. It’s holiday time in the UK and their audiology company has let them down. We’re away together for a week in a few days so I want to see if there’s anything I can do to help, but before packing a multimeter and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol I thought I’d ask here.

Some things I know:

  • they’re pretty certain the (disposable) batteries are good, they’ve been tested in old hearing aids
  • there’s no startup chime, we’re not sure if that’s normal
  • when cupped in a pair of hands the hearing aids make no noise
  • no lights come on and no Bluetooth device is discoverable, again not sure if this is normal
  • they’ve had a go at cleaning it, changing a filter

Some things I don’t know:

  • the model of Phonak
  • if a startup chime (or any other signal, lights, Bluetooth, etc) is guaranteed in all models with good power so I can rule out any cleaning issues
  • how to access the PCB, jewellers screwdriver?
  • whether you can make a wired connection and tweak any configuration (e.g. to turn on the startup chime) or even as a power source

It’s bothering me that both seem to have failed at the same time, although he’s so deaf in one ear I’m not sure we’d know if that one was already not working. I assume the thing to focus on first is just the battery, that it gives enough volts, makes good contact, there’s continuity in the circuit. I’d be surprised though if it was that easy as a few people have looked at them.

Any suggestions? Particularly keen to avoid leaving behind any critical tools. Thanks!

@rich.midwinter said:

they’re pretty certain the (disposable) batteries are good, they’ve been tested in old hearing aids

Check this yourself to be sure.

@rich.midwinter said:

there’s no startup chime, we’re not sure if that’s normal

Yes there should be a startup chime.

@rich.midwinter said:

when cupped in a pair of hands the hearing aids make no noise

So they should “squeal” when this is done, it’s called feedback.

@rich.midwinter said:

no lights come on

There won’t be on disposable models.

@rich.midwinter said:

no Bluetooth device is discoverable, again not sure if this is normal

Only if they are Bluetooth models (Marvel, Paradise) will they show up. Older models need I another accessory.

@rich.midwinter said:

they’ve had a go at cleaning it, changing a filter

Usually a blocked is the issue, you’ll need to confirm yourself that this has been done correctly, it’s easy enough tho.

@rich.midwinter said:

how to access the PCB, jewellers screwdriver?

DONT do this, do not open the housing, there’s nothing there that would warrant taking them apart. No user replaceable parts for you to clean or anything like that in there.

@rich.midwinter said:

whether you can make a wired connection and tweak any configuration (e.g. to turn on the startup chime) or even as a power source

You can, but only with specialist equipment, software, hardware.
Of course it’s easy enough to get hold of what you need, eBay for your programming device and software for free from forum members, but you’ll need a week or two to get familiar with everything.

So in short, get the exact model of Phonak when you visit, this will help a lot.

Just clean the battery contacts, and be sure yourself the batteries are good, check the wax filter, check the receiver wire or slim tubes (depending on model)
Just sounds like something simple, nothing to serious.

Good luck

It still could certainly be a clogged . I would suggest completely removing the filters and see what happens (assuming the hearing aid is a style or style, will not work if it is a ). The filters are white and are down inside the port where the sound is supposed to come out of the hearing aid. The filters are not a necessity and can be left out until this person is able to get back into their Audiologist’s offce. Hope that helps!!

As a hearing aid technician I’m pretty sure the receiver failed, no matter if the model you have is a , or

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