Reducing your chance of depression, decreasing your risk of falling, and improving cognitive ability are some of the surprising health benefits that have been shown to come from using hearing aids. Which is why when your hearing aids seem like they fail to function properly, it’s so frustrating. When you begin observing screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids abruptly stop working, quick solutions can be the difference between a wonderful family dinner or a miserable one.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid problems can be eased with a few practical troubleshooting measures. The faster you figure out what’s wrong with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
One of the most common issues with hearing aids is a low battery. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Other devices are designed to have their batteries swapped out. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
- Dull sound quality: It feels as if somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or keeps shutting off, there’s a good possibility the battery is the principal problem.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Having the right batteries is crucial so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (In some cases, the wrong kind of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is essential.)
- Make certain you have completely charged batteries. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or at least for several hours.
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. You may have to bring your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
Every Surface Needs to 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 in the process of helping you hear, it’s not surprising that your hearing aid can get somewhat dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are made to deal with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned once in a while. A few issues connected to buildup and dirt could include:
- Feedback: The feedback canceling feature on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling sound.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s hiding behind something, it might just be. There may be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
- Discomfort: If they feel as if they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it might be because earwax accumulation has begun interfering with the fit. Sometimes, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be replaced.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or blocked by earwax or debris. The manufacturer will normally supply a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Take care of the filter by checking it and, when needed, replacing it.
- Taking your hearing aid to a specialist for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Carefully clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
You May Just Need a Little Time
In some cases, the problem isn’t an issue with the hearing aid. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain needs to get accustomed to hearing the world again. As your mind adjust, you may notice that some sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). You might also notice that particular consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adapt.
However, 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 should be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, contact us, we can help.