If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When your hearing aid fails at its one job, it can be really frustrating. Luckily, your hearing aids should have no trouble doing their job if you properly maintain them.
Before you do anything drastic, look at this list. It might be time to come in and see us if you find it’s not one of these common issues. For instance, your hearing aids might need recalibration, or your hearing may have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten significantly smaller and lifespans are getting better, the batteries still have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. That means that it’s important to keep up with your hearing aids’ batteries. If it seems as if the sound is fading or cutting in and out, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Investing in a battery tester, especially if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until it’s time to use them, always a smart idea, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that huge pack you bought months ago most likely won’t maintain a charge as long as the first few did. Another trick: When you open new batteries, wait 5 minutes before installing them. This gives the zinc time to become active, and can potentially help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Regardless of how clean you keep your ears, and if you have a hard time hearing, you’re much more likely than the average individual to stay on top of earwax, your hearing aids are going to accumulate dirt and debris. If you’re able to hear but sounds seem distorted or slightly off, dirt may be the cause.
The fix: Clean Them Out—And Keep Them Clean!
There are plenty of products available specifically for cleaning hearing aids, but you can DIY it with things you already have around the house. Once you’ve disassembled your hearing aids, use a soft, microfiber cloth (like you’d use to clean glasses or smartphone) to wipe down the hardware.
Simple hygiene practices will go a long way to keeping your hearing aids clean. Whenever you do something that calls for liquid or dampness, like washing your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make sure your hands are dry when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a small amount of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think working up a sweat, not snorkeling). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be impacted by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, you may experience problems from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to stop working.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Leave the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, take the battery out. Any trapped moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with very little effort on your part.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to keep your hearing aids. Don’t keep them in the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. You will most likely want to purchase a hearing aid storage box if you live in a very humid environment. Most models use a desiccant in the form of a little moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly versions remove moisture with electronics.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it might be time for you to give us a call.