My hearing aid suddenly stopped working. What to do?

Oh yes, Bluetooth and hearing aids can be very strange companions. My husband has a different brand, but sometimes it will spontaneously pair with his phone, then the phone starts doing strange things. It can usually be "cured" by turning off both hearing aid and phone and then restarting them. This has happened to us with other electronic pairings as well, not just the hearing aids. Still an imperfect technology because the technology is trying to make so many, varied devices talk to each other.
Sue

With much of the technology we use, rebooting is often the solution.

@smallisland, I agree with @julieo4 and @sueinmn. Rebooting is often the solution. I'll also tag @tonyinmi. He often helps with such conundrums.

Smallisland, did you try searching for the user manual online? They often provide tips for trouble shooting. Please report back when you solve the issue to help others should they run into the same situation.

@smallisland I'm not sure I can help since I don't have Phonak brand AND I do not use rechargeable batteries. I do know that Bluetooth connectivity is a BIG concern for many people but this doesn't sound like a BT issue. I doubt connecting your phone's Wi-Fi to your sisters network has anything to do with the problem. Your issue appears to be with the reliability of the charging system. I assume that with both red and green lights on, that means the aids are charged enough to work???? Keep in mind that when the battery goes down to nothing, that means the hearing aids will be 'reset'. We know that a reset fixes a lot of quirks. I'd definitely keep aware for this to happen again. If it's repeatable, reach out to Phonak. Do they have a customer support number? It should be shown in the manual that you should have gotten with the aids. Newer hearing aids can be teleprogrammed without a visit to the audiologist. I believe the audiologist would have to set this up. I had to okay a consent agreement when my audi setup the remote programming via the manufacturers website.
Tony in Michigan

I have a different brand and that happens to me. Very frustrating. I either turn off my hearing aid and phone and it restarts. Sometimes I need to put them in the charger for a minute and that usually fixes. I have Signia BICROS for a little over a year and recently while on vacation they stopped working completely.

These devices are far too costly and sophisticated to have problems like this. Be sure to let your provider know what is happening. I do not have rechargeable batteries with my hearing aid. When I replace the Widex aid I have now, I will try to get a new aid that uses regular batteries rather than rechargeables. Why? Because I am totally deaf without my technology. The mere idea of having to send them in for repairs is upsetting. While my CI processor has rechargeable batteries, I have spares, and also can use a separate 'battery cage' that will accept regular batteries.

Sometimes the old way of doing things can be a bit better than the new way. Those of us who camp, travel, etc. are often better off with hearing devices that take regular batteries. We don't always have access to power outlets. While the rechargeables are wonderful 95% of the time, they also have their downside.

@vickies What did you do on vacation when your hearing aids stopped working?

I went to bed they were working put them in charger when I went to bed work up and couldn’t get anything so luckily I have a spare charger and that did not work so at that point knew it was the hearing aids. So now just know audiologist has sent them off and hopefully one of her loaners back. I am grateful that I just have minimal hearing loss in my good ear.

I am glad to hear that you were able to get them working again. Technology can be a great thing but can do weird things sometimes. I definitely would keep and eye on it and if it keeps happening I’d let your audiologist know.

That said I know mine do weird things sometimes. The weirdest is they will turn off and automatically turn on. Since they do turn back on I haven’t thought it an issue for right now but I know at my next visit with my audiologist I’ll bring it up.

I do have Phonak rechargeable hearing aids (Marvels) and have had this happen to me in my left hearing aid, which is my best ear!

My audiologist said to hold down the volume button for 15 seconds, release and wait 4 seconds then put the aids into the charger. Eventually it will start blinking and this indicates it has been reset. I just reset both. This has worked for me.

My audiologist says resetting is helpful for various battery issues, but this is the only issue I have ever experienced.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for sharing this information. There are a lot of bells and whistles on these new hearing aids that are difficult to explain, much less understand. Kudos to your audiologist for explaining this clearly to you.