First: is it the hearing aid or your hearing?

If your hearing has suddenly dropped in one or both ears, or you have ear pain, discharge or dizziness, see a doctor without delay. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) advises seeing a doctor immediately in case of sudden hearing loss.

No sound at all

  • Rechargeable: is it charged? Put it in the charger and check that the charger is connected to power and that the hearing aid sits correctly in the slot.
  • Batteries: try a fresh battery, check it is the right way round, and that the protective sticker was removed and the door closes fully.
  • Turned off or muted: restart the hearing aid as described in your user instructions, and check the volume or programme in the app.
  • Blocked filter or dome: look at the earpiece. If there is wax, replace the filter and dome rather than cleaning them.

Weak or muffled sound

This is most often wax. Philips says the wax filter should be replaced when it is clogged or if the hearing aid sounds unusual. ASHA’s daily care guide also suggests checking whether the microphone is blocked; brush the microphone openings gently. If only one side is weak, compare the two earpieces. Our guide to domes, wax filters and small parts explains what to replace.

Crackling, cutting out or distorted sound

  • Check for moisture: wipe the hearing aid dry and let it dry in its case or charger.
  • With batteries, try a fresh one and check the battery contacts are clean.
  • If the sound cuts out only when streaming from your phone, the connection may be the issue rather than the hearing aid. See hearing aids not connecting to your phone.

Not charging

Check that the charger is plugged in and has power, that the hearing aids are placed fully in the slots, and that the charging contacts are clean. Wipe the charger with a dry cloth only; Philips warns not to use water or cleaning fluids on the charging ports. If the indicator light behaves differently from what your user instructions describe, note it down before you call.

Whistling

Whistling often happens when the earpiece is not sitting properly in the ear, or when something is held close to the hearing aid. Take it out and put it back in carefully. ASHA notes that whistling can happen when a hearing aid does not fit well, and suggests a check-up. If whistling continues with the earpiece seated correctly, ask for a check rather than turning the volume down. Insertion tips are in how to put in hearing aids.

After it got wet

Philips says never to wash or immerse hearing aids in water or other liquids, and never to use a hair dryer or a microwave oven to dry them. If a hearing aid has been in the sea, the pool or the shower, turn it off if your model allows, wipe it with a dry cloth and let it dry in the case or charger. If it still does not work properly, stop using it and contact us.

What not to do

  • Do not push tools, pins or cotton buds into the openings of the hearing aid or into your ear.
  • Do not use alcohol or cleaning fluids unless your user instructions allow it.
  • Do not open the hearing aid or force a battery door, speaker or charging connection.
  • If the device is hot, swollen or visibly damaged, or a battery has leaked, stop using it.

What to tell us when you call

  • The make, model and style, and whether it is rechargeable or uses batteries.
  • Which side is affected, and when it started.
  • What you notice: no sound, weak, crackling, cutting out, whistling, not charging.
  • What you have already tried, and whether the device got wet or was dropped.

G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids. For Philips users: G-Sound provides first-line customer support for Philips hearing aids, including help with device use, app connectivity, cleaning, wax filters, accessories and basic troubleshooting. When a repair requires manufacturer laboratory service, the device is routed to Philips’s separate authorized laboratory. If your device is from another brand, mention it when you call. The wider service pathway is described in hearing-aid repair and service in Israel, and the routine that prevents many of these problems is in hearing aid maintenance.

Sources

Updated 22 October 2026 · Written by the G-Sound editorial team. General information only; it does not replace a hearing assessment or medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

My hearing aid has no sound. What should I check first?

Charge or battery, whether it is switched on or muted, and whether the wax filter or dome is blocked. Replace a blocked filter or dome rather than cleaning it.

Why does my hearing aid sound weak?

Most often because of wax in the filter, dome or microphone opening. Replace the filter and dome and brush the microphone openings gently.

My rechargeable hearing aid will not charge. What can I do?

Check the charger has power, the hearing aids sit fully in the slots and the contacts are clean. Wipe the charger with a dry cloth only.

Can I dry a wet hearing aid with a hair dryer?

No. Philips says never to use a hair dryer or a microwave oven. Wipe it dry and let it dry in the case or charger.

When should I see a doctor instead?

If your hearing drops suddenly, or you have ear pain, discharge or dizziness. NIDCD advises seeing a doctor immediately in case of sudden hearing loss.