Posted Wednesday May 14, 2025
Hearing aids have come a long way—from fiddly batteries to sleek rechargeable models that make life much easier. But what happens when your hearing aid charger stops doing its job? Or when your hearing aids used to be fully charged in two hours, but now need to be plugged in all night and are still not fully charged?
Here are a few common reasons why your hearing aid charger might not be working or not working well as it used to — and what you can do about it.
1. Check the power source first
It might sound obvious, but it’s easy to overlook.
Is the charger plugged in properly? Sometimes a loose plug or slightly unplugged cord can make all the difference.
Are you using the plug that the charger came with? Make sure you're using the original plug and cable that came with your charger, as third-party accessories may not deliver the right power or could prevent proper charging.
Is your hearing aid charger plugged directly into the wall? For the most reliable charging, plug the charger directly into a wall outlet rather than a power board or extension cord, which can sometimes cause inconsistent power flow.
Try a different outlet. If the charger doesn’t seem to be getting power, try plugging it into a different socket you know works.
Look for indicator lights. Most chargers have a small light that turns on when it’s working. If there's no light, there may be no power reaching the charger.
2. Are the hearing aids seated correctly?
Rechargeable hearing aids need to sit just right in the charger for them to connect and charge.
Check the alignment. Make sure each hearing aid is sitting snugly in its charging port—not upside down or slightly off-centre.
Clean the contacts. A bit of dust or earwax on the charging contacts can interfere. Use a dry, soft cloth or a specialised cleaning brush to gently clean both the hearing aid and charger contact points.
3. Inspect the charging cable
Cables can wear out over time, especially if they’re bent or twisted frequently.
Look for visible damage. Any fraying, kinks, or bent connectors can prevent proper charging.
Try a different charging cable (if your model allows it). If the charger works with a different cable, the original one might need replacing.
4. Look for software updates
Some modern hearing aids and chargers are smart — meaning they can get software updates.
Check your hearing aid app (if you use one). It may alert you to any issues or needed updates.
Ask your Audiology South team if there are any known firmware issues or fixes.
5. When in doubt, restart everything
A quick reset can often work wonders.
Unplug the charger, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in.
If your hearing aids have a reset function, restart them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Still not working? Call in the pros
If none of these steps work, don’t stress. Chargers can wear out or malfunction over time, just like any electronic device.
Contact your local Audiology South for help.
If your device is still under warranty, you may be eligible for a replacement.
It’s totally normal to run into a hiccup now and then with your hearing aid equipment. Most of the time, the fix is something simple—and you're not alone! With a little patience and some basic troubleshooting, you can usually get back to charging and using your hearing aids without much trouble.