Hearing aids have been demonstrated to benefit your health in unsuspected ways including improving cognitive function, 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 abruptly stop working, expedient solutions can make the difference between a lovely family dinner or a difficult one.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid problems can be eased with a few basic troubleshooting measures. Finding out what’s happening with your hearing aid as fast as possible will can you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most common challenges with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Other devices are made to have their batteries swapped out. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are far away or underwater.
- 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.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
Some solutions:
- Verify that the batteries are completely charged. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, charge them for several hours or overnight.
- Double-check to make certain the correct batteries are installed. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (Occasionally, a battery will seem to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be cautious and check twice.)
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. In some cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed inside of the device, and if that’s the case, you may have to bring the hearing aid to a specialist.
Try to Clean Every Surface
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And your ears have a lot going on inside of them. So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids can get somewhat dirty while helping you hear. Despite the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to get them cleaned now and again. A few problems related to buildup and dirt might include:
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s hiding behind something, it might just be. There may be earwax or other buildup getting in the way.
- Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where the fit of your hearing aid becomes a little tight. Sometimes, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be replaced.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has recommended.
- Check the earwax filter to make sure it is clean; replace it if necessary.
- 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 directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Taking your hearing aid to a specialist for routine upkeep is an important procedure.
You May Just 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 used to hearing the world again. As your mind adjust, you might notice that certain sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). And certain consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
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 goes by. 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.
