Lowering your chance of depression, decreasing your risk of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the unexpected health benefits that have been proven to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why when your hearing aids seem like they fail to function properly, it’s so frustrating. The difference between an enjoyable dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by finding a fast remedy when your hearing aid begins screeching with feedback or goes silent entirely.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid issues can be alleviated with a few practical troubleshooting steps. Finding out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as quickly as possible will can you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
One of the most common issues with hearing aids is a low battery. Many hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Changeable batteries are standard on other models. Here are some of the symptoms that may give you a clue that the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- 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 main problem.
- Dull sound quality: It seems like someone is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are always struggling to hear what’s happening around you.
Here’s what you do about it:
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. In certain situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed inside of the device, and if that’s the case, you might have to take the hearing aid to a specialist.
- Having the correct batteries is essential so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (Sometimes, a battery will seem to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be cautious and check twice.)
- Verify that the batteries are fully charged. If your hearing aid is equipped with rechargeable batteries, let them charge for a few hours or overnight.
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And there’s a lot happening in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids can get somewhat dirty in the process of helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are manufactured to handle some earwax accumulation, but it’s a practical idea to have a regular cleaning schedule too. A few issues connected to buildup and dirt could include:
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it might be because earwax accumulation has begun interfering with the fit. Occasionally, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s lost behind something, it might just be. There may be earwax or other buildup getting in the way.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling feature on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup creating a whistling noise.
Some solutions:
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has recommended.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it is not covered or blocked by debris or earwax. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Taking your hearing aid to a specialist for regular upkeep is an important procedure.
- Examine the earwax filter to make sure it is clean; replace it if necessary.
You May Simply Need Some Time
In some cases, the problem isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take a little time to get used to your new hearing aids. Specific sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) might initially seem unpleasantly loud. You may also notice that certain consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adjust.
However, it’s worthwhile 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 should be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, give us a call, we can help.