Hearing aids have been proven to improve your health in surprising ways including enhancing cognitive abilities, minimizing depression, and decreasing your chance of falling. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so frustrating. When you begin detecting buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids abruptly stop working, quick solutions can be the difference between a wonderful family dinner or a difficult one.
Luckily, there are some basic troubleshooting measures you can take which may ease or manage some common hearing aid issues. The faster you ascertain what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
One of the most prevalent 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. Here are some of the symptoms that could give you a clue that the batteries are the culprit when your device goes on the fritz:
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good chance the battery is the principal issue.
- Dull sound quality: It feels as if somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Weak sounds: You’re battling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
Some solutions:
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. You may have to take your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Having the right batteries is crucial so make sure you double check that. Putting the wrong type of battery into your hearing aid can lead to malfunctions. (Occasionally, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be cautious and check twice.)
- Ensure the batteries are fully charged. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, let them charge for a few hours or overnight.
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 in the process of helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get a bit dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are made to cope with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to get them cleaned now and again. A few issues linked to buildup and dirt might include:
- Discomfort: Earwax can accumulate to the point where the fit of your hearing aid becomes a little tight. The plastic will occasionally need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s lost behind something, it might just be. There might be earwax or other buildup getting in the way.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be interrupted by earwax buildup creating a whistling noise.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Check the earwax filter to ensure it is clean; replace it if needed.
- Clean your hearing aid lightly in the way that the manufacturer has recommended.
- Taking your hearing aid to a specialist for routine upkeep is an important procedure.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or clogged by debris or earwax. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t necessarily the issue. 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. As your mind adjust, you may notice that some sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). And certain consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adapt.
Even so, it’s important not to let too much time go by, with any problem, before getting help. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re experiencing continuous noise issues or things don’t seem to be working just the way they ought to be, we can help get you back on track and ensure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.