Lowering your chance of depression, decreasing the danger of falling, and improving cognitive ability are some of the unsuspected health benefits that have been proven to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why it can be so frustrating when these devices have malfunctions. When you start detecting screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids abruptly stop working, quick solutions can make the difference between a pleasant family dinner or a difficult one.
Fortunately, some of the most fundamental hearing aid issues can be reduced with a few basic troubleshooting steps. The sooner you ascertain what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed
One of the most prevalent problems with hearing aids is a low battery. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Other devices are made to have their batteries swapped out. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
- Dull sound quality: It feels as if somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid doesn’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good possibility the battery is the principal issue.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Replace the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. You might have to bring your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Make sure you have fully charged batteries. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or for at least a few hours.
- Check twice to make sure the right batteries are installed. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (Occasionally, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be careful and check twice.)
Try to Clean Every Surface
Obviously, hearing aids log a lot of time inside of your ears. And there’s a lot going on in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids can get a little dirty while helping you hear. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are made to deal with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned once in a while. Here are some of the issues that can come from too much buildup:
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it may be because earwax accumulation has begun interfering with the fit. Occasionally, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining sound.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can cause your hearing aid to sound like it’s buried underneath something.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and plugged up by earwax and debris so check for that. The manufacturer will usually provide a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Take care of the filter by examining it and, if needed, replacing it.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has advised.
You May Simply Need Some Time
In some cases, the issue isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain has to get accustomed to hearing the outside world again. Particular sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) might at first come across as unpleasantly loud. You may also notice that particular consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adjust.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any problems before too much time passes. 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.