Reducing your chance of depression, minimizing the danger of falling, and enhancing 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 malfunction, it’s so frustrating. The difference between a pleasant dinner with family or a horrible time can be made by finding a quick solution when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or quits entirely.
The good news is, there are some practical troubleshooting steps you can take that may ease or manage some common hearing aid issues. The sooner you ascertain what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Swapped Out
A low battery is one of the most prevalent issues with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Changeable batteries are standard on other models. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are to blame for your hearing aid issues.
- Weak sounds: You’re battling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good chance that your battery is to blame if your hearing aid keeps shutting itself off or won’t turn on at all.
- Dull sound quality: It feels as if somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
Some solutions:
- Check twice to make certain the right batteries are installed. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (In some cases, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is crucial.)
- Swap out the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. You may need to bring your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Make certain you have fully charged batteries. Allow your rechargeable batteries to charge overnight or at least for several hours.
Try Cleaning Every Surface
Needless to say, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids will get a little dirty while helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are designed to handle some earwax accumulation, but it’s a good idea to have a routine cleaning plan too. A few issues connected to buildup and dirt may include:
- Discomfort: Earwax can accumulate 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 underneath something.
- 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:
- Make sure you are sending your hearing aids to a specialist for regular maintenance and cleaning.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make sure it’s not covered or plugged by earwax or debris. The manufacturer will normally supply a cleaning tool which can be used along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Examine the earwax filter to ensure it is clean; replace it if necessary.
- Clean your hearing aid lightly in the way that the manufacturer has directed.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
In some cases, the problem isn’t an issue with the hearing aid. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take a little bit of time to adjust to your new hearing aids. Particular sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) may at first seem unpleasantly loud. And some consonants frequently sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adapt.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any problems before too much time passes. If your hearing aids are uncomfortable or you’re experiencing constant noise problems or things don’t seem to be working just the way they should be, we can help get you back on track and ensure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.