Hearing aids have been proven to benefit your health in unsuspected ways including improving cognitive abilities, minimizing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so frustrating. The difference between an enjoyable dinner with family or a horrible time can be made by discovering a quick remedy when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent altogether.
Fortunately, some of the most fundamental hearing aid problems can be alleviated with a few basic troubleshooting measures. figuring 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. Many hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Other devices are manufactured to have their batteries exchanged. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are to blame for your hearing aid problems.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound muffled like they are far away or underwater.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or keeps shutting off, there’s a good chance the battery is the main issue.
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are constantly struggling to hear what’s going on around you.
Some solutions:
- Make sure the batteries are 100 % charged. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or at least for several hours.
- Replace the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. In some situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed inside of the device, and if that’s the situation, you may need to bring the hearing aid to a professional.
- Having the correct batteries is crucial so make sure you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (Sometimes, a battery will seem to be the same size as a different battery so it’s essential that you be cautious and check twice.)
Every Surface Needs to be Cleaned
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And your ears have a lot going on inside of them. So while helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get a little dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a good idea to get them cleaned now and again. Here are a few of the problems that can come from too much buildup:
- Discomfort: If they feel like they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it might be because earwax accumulation has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling feature on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup causing a whistling 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.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Check the earwax filter to make sure it is clean; replace it if needed.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or clogged by debris or earwax. The manufacturer will often provide a cleaning tool which can be used along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has instructed.
- Taking your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
Sometimes, the issue isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take some time to adjust to your new hearing aids. As your mind adapts, you may notice that certain sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). You may also detect that certain consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adapt.
Even so, it’s important not to let too much time go by, with any issue, before getting help. 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.