Reducing your chance of depression, decreasing your risk of falling, and improving cognitive ability are some of the unexpected health benefits that have been proven to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why it can be so frustrating when these devices fail to function properly. When you begin observing buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids abruptly go silent, quick solutions can be the difference between a wonderful family dinner or a difficult one.
The good news is, there are some basic troubleshooting measures you can take that could alleviate or address some typical hearing aid problems. The faster you figure out what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Swapped Out
One of the most common problems with hearing aids is a low battery. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Replaceable batteries are standard on other hearing aids. Here are some of the symptoms that may lead you to believe the batteries are the culprit when your device goes on the fritz:
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good possibility that your battery is the issue if your hearing aid keeps turning itself off or doesn’t turn on at all.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
- Dull sound quality: It feels like somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
Some solutions:
- Check twice to make certain the correct batteries are installed. Putting the wrong type of battery into your hearing aid can result in malfunctions. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be careful and check twice.)
- Verify that the batteries are fully charged. If your hearing aid is equipped with rechargeable batteries, charge them for several hours or overnight.
- If you have replaceable batteries, swap them out on a regular basis. In certain situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you may need to bring the hearing aid to a professional.
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Hearing aids, naturally, spend a lot of time in your ears. And there’s a lot going on 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 cope 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: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling sound.
- Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where the fit of your hearing aid becomes a little tight. Occasionally, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.
- 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:
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Maintain the filter by examining it and, when needed, replacing it.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and plugged up by earwax and debris so look for that. The manufacturer will typically provide a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Bringing your hearing aid to a specialist for regular upkeep is an important procedure.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
In some cases, 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 bit of time to adjust to your new hearing aids. Particular sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for instance) might initially come across as unpleasantly loud. You may also detect that certain consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
These are all indications 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 issues 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.