Lowering your chance of depression, minimizing the danger of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the unsuspected health advantages that have been proven to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why when these devices seem like they fail to function properly, it’s so frustrating. The difference between a pleasant dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by finding a fast remedy when your hearing aid begins screeching with feedback or quits entirely.
Luckily, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take which may relieve or manage some common hearing aid issues. The faster you figure out what’s wrong with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed
A low battery is one of the most prevalent challenges with hearing aids. Some hearing aids have rechargeable batteries. Other devices are designed to have their batteries changed. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it most likely means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good chance the battery is the main problem.
- Weak sounds: You’re battling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are far away or underwater.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Check twice to make sure the right batteries are installed. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (In some cases, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the correct size, so double-checking is important.)
- Make certain you have completely charged batteries. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or at least for several hours.
- If you have replaceable batteries, swap them out on a regular basis. You may have to take your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
Try to Clean Every Surface
Obviously, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And your ears have a lot going on inside of them. So it’s not surprising that your hearing aids will get somewhat dirty in the process of helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are manufactured to handle a certain amount of earwax accumulation, but it’s a practical idea to have a regular cleaning plan too. A few issues related to buildup and dirt may include:
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be interrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling noise.
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it may be because earwax buildup has begun interfering with the fit. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s hiding behind something, maybe it is. There might be earwax or other buildup getting in the way.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Lightly clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Check the earwax filter to make sure it’s clean; replace it if needed.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and clogged up by earwax and debris so check for that. Clean with your cleaning tool or as advised by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Taking your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t always the problem. When you first pop in your hearing aids, your brain has to get used to hearing the outside world again. As your mind adapts, you may notice that certain sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). And some consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adjust.
However, it’s important not to let too much time go by, with any issue, before seeking help. Your hearing aids should make your life more enjoyable, so if things aren’t working the way they ought to be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, give us a call, we can help.