Hearing aids have been proven to support your health in unsuspected ways including increasing cognitive function, minimizing depression, and limiting your chance of falling. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so infuriating. When you start detecting screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly go silent, quick solutions can make the difference between a pleasant family dinner or a difficult one.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid issues can be alleviated with a few practical troubleshooting measures. The sooner you determine what’s wrong with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed
A low battery is one of the most prevalent issues with hearing aids. Many hearing aids have rechargeable batteries. Other devices are designed to have their batteries swapped out. Here are some of the symptoms that could give you a clue that the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are far away or underwater.
- 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: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good possibility the battery is the primary problem.
Some solutions:
- Ensure the batteries are fully charged. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, charge them for several hours or overnight.
- If you have replaceable batteries, swap them out regularly. You might need to bring your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Having the correct batteries is essential so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (Sometimes, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is crucial.)
Try Cleaning 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 a little dirty in the process of helping you hear. Despite the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to have them cleaned now and again. A few problems related to buildup and dirt might include:
- Discomfort: If they feel like they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it may be because earwax accumulation has started interfering with the fit. Sometimes, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be replaced.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried beneath something.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Taking your hearing aid to a professional for regular upkeep is an important procedure.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or clogged by debris or earwax. Clean with your cleaning tool or as advised by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Check the earwax filter to make sure it is clean; replace it if needed.
You May Simply Need a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t always the problem. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain needs to get accustomed to hearing the outside world again. Certain sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) may at first come across as unpleasantly loud. You may also notice that certain consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
These are all clues that your brain is racing to catch up to auditory stimuli again and, before long, you’ll adapt.
But it’s important 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 should be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, give us a call, we can help.