Lowering your chance of depression, minimizing the danger of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the unsuspected health benefits that have been shown to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why it can be so irritating when these devices fail to function properly. When you begin observing buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly go silent, quick solutions can make the difference between a lovely family dinner or a difficult one.
The good news is, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take that may alleviate or address some typical hearing aid issues. figuring out what’s happening with your hearing aid as fast as you will can you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed
A low battery is one of the most common issues with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Other devices are designed to have their batteries exchanged. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it most likely means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good possibility that your battery is to blame if your hearing aid keeps shutting itself off or won’t turn on at all.
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are always struggling to hear what’s going on around you.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound muffled like they are far away or underwater.
Some solutions:
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. You might have to bring your hearing aid in to a professional if the battery is sealed inside.
- Having the right batteries is essential so make certain you double check that. Putting the wrong kind of battery in your hearing aid can result in malfunctions. (Sometimes, the wrong kind of battery can be purchased in the correct size, so double-checking is important.)
- Ensure the batteries are fully charged. If your hearing aid has rechargeable batteries, charge them for a few hours or overnight.
Try to Clean Every Surface
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And your ears have a lot going on inside of them. So while helping you hear, it’s not surprising that your hearing aid can get a little dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are made to cope with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned once in a while. Here are some of the problems that can come from too much buildup:
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it could be because earwax accumulation has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will occasionally need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be interrupted by earwax buildup generating a whistling sound.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can cause your hearing aid to sound like it’s buried beneath something.
Some solutions:
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it is not covered or clogged by debris or earwax. The manufacturer will usually supply a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Taking your hearing aid to a specialist for routine upkeep is an important procedure.
- Check the earwax filter to ensure it is clean; replace it if necessary.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
Sometimes, 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 time to adjust to your new hearing aids. Specific sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) may at first seem unpleasantly loud. And certain consonants frequently sound louder than the rest of the speech.
These are all indications that your brain is racing to catch up to auditory stimuli again and, before long, you’ll adjust.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any problems before too much time goes by. Your hearing aids should make your life more enjoyable, so if things aren’t working the way they should be, or your hearing aids are uncomfortable, contact us, we can help.