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 wearing hearing aids. Which is why when these devices seem like they fail to function properly, it’s so frustrating. The difference between a pleasant dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by discovering a fast remedy when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent altogether.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid issues can be eased with a few practical troubleshooting steps. Finding out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as fast as you will get you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Try Changing The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most common challenges with hearing aids. Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Other devices are manufactured to have their batteries changed. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are to blame for your hearing aid issues.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
- Dull sound quality: It seems as if someone is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid doesn’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good possibility the battery is the primary issue.
Some solutions:
- Make certain you have completely charged batteries. If your hearing aid is equipped with rechargeable batteries, let them charge for several hours or overnight.
- Replace the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. In certain cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you might need to take the hearing aid to a specialist.
- Check twice to make sure the correct batteries are installed. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (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.)
Every Surface Needs to be Cleaned
Obviously, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And there’s a lot taking place in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So while helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get somewhat dirty. Most hearing aid models are manufactured to handle a certain amount of earwax accumulation, but it’s a good idea to have a routine cleaning schedule also. Here are a few of the problems that can come from too much buildup:
- 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.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling feature on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling sound.
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too big for your ears, it may be because earwax buildup has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has instructed.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become coated and plugged up by earwax and debris so check for that. The manufacturer will usually supply a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Maintain the filter by checking it and, when needed, replacing it.
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an important procedure.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
Sometimes, the problem isn’t a problem 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 might notice that specific sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). And some consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
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 problem, 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, give us a call, we can help.