Hearing aids have been proven to support your health in unsuspected ways including improving cognitive abilities, minimizing depression, and decreasing your risk of falls. Which is why it can be so aggravating when these devices have malfunctions. When you begin detecting screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly go silent, expedient solutions can be the difference between a pleasant family dinner or a miserable one.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid problems can be eased with a few practical troubleshooting steps. The faster you figure out what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most common challenges with hearing aids. Some hearing aids have rechargeable batteries. Replaceable batteries are standard on other models. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Dull sound quality: It seems as if someone is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Weak sounds: You’re battling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good chance that your battery is to blame if your hearing aid keeps turning itself off or won’t turn on at all.
Some solutions:
- Having the right batteries is crucial so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be careful and check twice.)
- Make sure you have fully charged batteries. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or for at least a few hours.
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. In certain cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed inside of the device, and if that’s the case, you might need to take the hearing aid to a professional.
Try to Clean Every Surface
Obviously, hearing aids log a lot of time inside of your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So it’s not surprising that your hearing aids may get a little dirty while helping you hear. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to get them cleaned now and again. Here are a few of the problems that can come from too much buildup:
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried underneath something.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling sound.
- Discomfort: If they feel as if they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it might be because earwax buildup has begun interfering with the fit. The plastic will occasionally need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
Some solutions:
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it is not covered or clogged by earwax or debris. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Examine the earwax filter to ensure it is clean; replace it if needed.
- Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has instructed.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t always the issue. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain has to get used to hearing the world again. Certain sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for instance) may at first seem unpleasantly loud. And certain consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
These are all signs that your brain is racing to catch up to sound again and, before long, you’ll adapt.
However, it’s important not to let too much time pass, with any problem, before seeking help. Your hearing aids should make your life more enjoyable, so if things aren’t working the way they should be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, contact us, we can help.