Hearing aids have been demonstrated to improve your health in unsuspected ways including boosting cognitive function, reducing depression, and limiting your chance of falling. Which is why it can be so aggravating when these devices fail to function properly. The difference between an enjoyable dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by discovering a quick solution when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or quits entirely.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid problems can be alleviated with a few basic troubleshooting steps. 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 common issues with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Replaceable batteries are standard on other hearing aids. Here are a few of the symptoms that may lead you to believe the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are far away or underwater.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid doesn’t turn on, or keeps shutting off, there’s a good chance the battery is the primary issue.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
Some solutions:
- Make sure you have fully charged batteries. Allow your rechargeable batteries to charge overnight or at least for several hours.
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. In some cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you may need to bring the hearing aid to a professional.
- Having the right batteries is essential so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (In some cases, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the correct size, so double-checking is crucial.)
Every Surface Should 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 not surprising that your hearing aid can get a little dirty. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to cope with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to have them cleaned now and again. Here are a few of the issues that can come from too much buildup:
- Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where the fit of your hearing aid becomes a little tight. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried beneath something.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whistling noise.
Some solutions:
- Bringing your hearing aid to a specialist for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has advised.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it’s not covered or blocked by earwax or debris. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Take care of the filter by examining it and, if needed, replacing it.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
In some cases, the issue 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. Specific sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) might initially seem unpleasantly loud. You might also notice that certain consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
These are all signs that your brain is racing to catch up to auditory stimuli again and, in time, you’ll adapt.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any problems 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, give us a call, we can help.