Hearing aids have been shown to improve your health in surprising ways including boosting cognitive function, reducing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so frustrating. The difference between a delightful dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by discovering a fast remedy when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent entirely.
The good news is, there are some basic troubleshooting measures you can take that may alleviate or manage some typical hearing aid problems. Finding out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as quickly as you will can you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Swapped Out
A low battery is one of the most prevalent issues with hearing aids. Many hearing aids have rechargeable batteries. Replaceable batteries are standard on other models. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it probably 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 possibility 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 and more.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound muffled like they are distant or underwater.
Here’s what you do about it:
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. You might have to bring your hearing aid in to a specialist if the battery is sealed inside.
- Make sure you have fully charged batteries. If your hearing aid is equipped with rechargeable batteries, let them charge for a few hours or overnight.
- Having the right batteries is crucial so make sure you double check that. Putting the wrong type of battery into your hearing aid can cause malfunctions. (Sometimes, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is important.)
Try to Clean Every Surface
Hearing aids, naturally, spend a lot of time in your ears. And there’s a lot taking place in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So while helping you hear, it’s not surprising that your hearing aid can get somewhat dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to have them cleaned once in a while. Here are some of the issues that can come from too much buildup:
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup creating a whistling noise.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s lost behind something, it might just be. There may be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
- Discomfort: Earwax can accumulate to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Bringing your hearing aid to a specialist for regular upkeep is an important procedure.
- Take care of the filter by checking it and, if needed, replacing it.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it’s not covered or clogged by earwax or debris. The manufacturer will usually provide a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has instructed.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
Sometimes, the problem isn’t an issue 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. Particular 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 sound again and, in time, you’ll adjust.
But it’s important to get help with any issues before too much time passes. 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, contact us, we can help.