Hearing aids have been shown to benefit your health in surprising ways including increasing cognitive function, minimizing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why it can be so irritating when these devices fail to function properly. The difference between an enjoyable dinner with family or a horrible time can be made by finding a fast remedy when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent altogether.
The good news is, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take which could ease or address some common hearing aid issues. The faster 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
One of the most prevalent issues with hearing aids is a low battery. Many hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Other devices are designed to have their batteries exchanged. 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 battling to hear what’s happening 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 across the room.
- 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 problem.
Some solutions:
- Having the right batteries is essential so make sure you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (At times, the wrong kind of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is crucial.)
- Replace the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. You may have to take your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Make certain you have fully charged batteries. If your hearing aid has rechargeable batteries, let them charge for a few hours or overnight.
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Needless to say, hearing aids log a lot of time inside of your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids can get somewhat dirty in the process of helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are designed to cope with some earwax accumulation, but it’s a good idea to have a routine cleaning schedule also. A few issues linked to buildup and dirt could 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.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s hiding behind something, maybe it is. There might be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
Some solutions:
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and clogged up by earwax and debris so check for that. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Ensure you are bringing your hearing aids to a specialist for routine maintenance and cleaning.
- Take care of the filter by checking it and, when needed, replacing it.
You May Simply Need Some 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. As your mind adapts, you might notice that some sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). You may also notice that certain consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
These are all signs that your brain is racing to catch up to auditory stimuli again and, in time, you’ll adjust.
But it’s important to get help with any issues before too much time passes. If your hearing aids are uncomfortable or you’re getting constant 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.