Hearing aids have been demonstrated to support your health in unexpected ways including boosting cognitive abilities, reducing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why it can be so frustrating when these devices have malfunctions. The difference between a delightful dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by discovering a fast solution when your hearing aid begins screeching with feedback or goes silent entirely.
The good news is, there are some practical troubleshooting steps you can take which may alleviate or manage some common hearing aid issues. The faster you figure out what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed
A low battery is one of the most common challenges with hearing aids. Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. Replaceable batteries are standard on other models. Here are some of the symptoms that could lead you to believe the batteries are the bad guy when your device goes on the fritz:
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are constantly struggling to hear what’s happening around you.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or keeps shutting off, there’s a good chance the battery is the main issue.
- Dull sound quality: It feels like somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
Some solutions:
- Ensure the batteries are fully charged. Allow your rechargeable batteries to charge overnight or at least for several hours.
- Exchange the batteries if your hearing aid is designed to allow that. You may need to take your hearing aid in to a specialist if the battery is sealed inside.
- Having the correct batteries is crucial so make certain 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 essential.)
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So while helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get a bit dirty. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to cope with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to get them cleaned now and again. A few problems connected to buildup and dirt may include:
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it may be because earwax buildup has started interfering with the fit. Sometimes, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can obstruct the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried underneath something.
Some solutions:
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and plugged up by earwax and debris so check for that. Clean with your cleaning tool or as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the earwax filter to ensure it’s clean; replace it if needed.
- Taking your hearing aid to a professional for regular upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
Sometimes, the issue isn’t an issue with the hearing aid. When you first pop in your hearing aids, your brain needs to get used to hearing the outside world again. As your mind adapts, you may notice that certain sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). You might also notice that particular consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adjust.
However, it’s worthwhile not to let too much time go by, with any issue, before seeking help. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re getting constant noise issues or things don’t seem to be working exactly the way they ought to be, we can help get you back on track and make sure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.