Lowering your chance of depression, minimizing the danger of falling, and enhancing cognitive ability are some of the unsuspected health advantages that have been shown to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why it can be so frustrating when these devices have malfunctions. When you start detecting buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly stop working, expedient solutions can be the difference between a lovely family dinner or a miserable one.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid problems can be alleviated with a few practical troubleshooting steps. The sooner you determine what’s wrong with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
One of the most common issues with hearing aids is a low battery. Many hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Changeable batteries are standard on other models. Here are a few of the symptoms that could lead you to believe the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- Dull sound quality: It seems like somebody is talking to you underwater or from across 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.
- Weak sounds: You’re battling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
Some solutions:
- Check twice to make sure the right batteries are used. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (Occasionally, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be careful and check twice.)
- Swap out the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. In certain cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed inside of the device, and if that’s the case, you might have to bring the hearing aid to a specialist.
- Verify that the batteries are completely charged. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, charge them for several hours or overnight.
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 in the process of helping you hear, it’s not surprising that your hearing aid can get somewhat dirty. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned now and again. Here are some of the problems that can come from too much buildup:
- Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whistling noise.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried underneath something.
Some solutions:
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for regular upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has advised.
- Maintain the filter by examining it and, when needed, replacing it.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or blocked by earwax or debris. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
You May Simply Need a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t necessarily the problem. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take some time to get used to your new hearing aids. Specific sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for instance) may at first come across as unpleasantly loud. You might also detect that particular consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adjust.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any issues before too much time goes by. 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.