Hearing Aid Problems While Visiting Israel: A Calm Checklist

Take a breath, then check the basics

You are at a family simcha in Jerusalem, on the beach in Tel Aviv, or staying with your children for the holidays, and one hearing aid goes quiet. Your own clinic is far away and in a different time zone. It is a stressful moment, especially when the point of the trip is to talk with people you love.

Before assuming the worst, go through a few simple checks. Do them at a table, over a towel, so small parts do not disappear.

First checks you can do yourself

1. Power.

• Rechargeable: place the device in the charger and check the indicator light. Make sure the charger itself has power: try a different socket and check that the cable is fully pushed in at both ends.
• Batteries: put in a fresh battery from a new packet, following the instructions in your user guide.
• Check that the battery door is fully closed.

2. Wax and debris. Look at the tip that goes into your ear. On many receiver-in-canal devices there is a small wax filter under the dome. If you have spare filters, replace it according to your user instructions. Do not push pins, toothpicks or cotton buds into the device or your ear.

3. The dome or tip. Is the dome still on the device? If you think a dome or another part is stuck in your ear, do not try to remove it yourself. The NHS advises seeing a doctor for an object stuck in the ear.

4. Volume and programmes. A button press or the app may have changed the volume or programme. Restart the device (off and on, or out of the charger and back in).

5. The phone and app. If sound is fine but streaming is not, the issue may be the Bluetooth connection. Turn Bluetooth off and on and restart the phone. See Bluetooth hearing aids.

6. Moisture. Heat, sweat, beaches and pools can all expose a device to moisture. Wipe the outside gently with a soft, dry cloth and follow your manufacturer's drying instructions.

Supplies you may be able to replace

If you travelled with a small kit, you may be able to solve the problem on the spot:

• Spare wax filters and domes in the right type and size.
• Batteries in the right size, if you use batteries.
• The charger, its cable and the power adapter.
• A soft brush or cloth.

If you did not bring spares, knowing the exact make, model and style makes it easier to identify the right part. See accessories and connectivity.

Charger and adapter questions

• Plugs and sockets. Check whether your charger plug fits Israeli sockets. If it does not, use a proper travel adapter. Do not force plugs or improvise connections.
• Power rating. Read the rating printed on your power adapter before you plug it in.
• USB power. If your charger runs on USB, try a wall adapter rather than a TV or laptop port.
• Charging contacts. Keep contacts clean and dry; sunscreen and sweat can leave a film.
• Seating. Make sure each hearing aid sits fully in its slot.

For everyday charging, see rechargeable hearing aids.

When to contact a local provider

Contact a provider when:

• You have done the first checks and the device is still silent or very weak.
• The sound is distorted or cuts in and out after cleaning and a restart.
• The device was dropped, stepped on or immersed in water.
• The charger does not respond, even with a different power source.
• Something is physically broken: the casing, the wire, the tube or the battery door.

When to see a doctor instead

Some problems are a medical question, not a hearing-aid question. The NHS advises urgent medical help for sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, or for hearing loss together with earache or discharge from the ear. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says sudden hearing loss should be treated as a medical emergency. If this applies to you, contact a doctor or emergency services in Israel.

What to have ready when you call

G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids. If you are visiting with a device from another brand, mention the make and model at the start; the options depend on the device.

No timeframe can be promised for a solution within your stay. Mention the length of your trip early so that realistic options can be discussed. Have this ready:

1. Make, model and style (printed on the device, in your documents or in the app).
2. Rechargeable or battery, and the battery size.
3. What happened, when, and in one ear or both.
4. What you have already tried from the list above.
5. Where you are staying in Israel and until when.
6. A photo of the device and the tip, if you can send one on WhatsApp.

If your devices were bought abroad and you are staying long-term, read hearing aids bought abroad. For general support topics, see hearing-aid repair and service in Israel.

Before your next trip

A small travel kit saves stress: spare filters and domes, batteries or the charger and cable, a travel adapter, a drying container if you use one, and a photo of your device's model label. Keep it in your hand luggage.