Hearing aids have been shown to benefit your health in unsuspected ways including improving cognitive function, minimizing depression, and limiting your chance of falling. Which is why it can be so aggravating 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 quick solution when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent altogether.
Luckily, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take that may relieve or manage some common hearing aid problems. figuring out what’s happening with your hearing aid as quickly as possible 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 prevalent challenges with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Replaceable batteries are standard on other hearing aids. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it most likely means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid problems.
- 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 problem.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s happening around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are far away or underwater.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Make certain you have completely charged batteries. If your hearing aid is equipped with rechargeable batteries, charge them for several hours or overnight.
- Having the correct batteries is essential so make sure you double check that. Putting the wrong kind of battery into your hearing aid can result in malfunctions. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s essential that you be cautious and check twice.)
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. You may need to take your hearing aid in to a specialist if the battery is sealed inside.
Try Cleaning Every Surface
Needless to say, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So it’s not surprising that your hearing aids can get a little dirty while helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are designed to handle a certain amount of earwax buildup, but it’s a good idea to have a regular cleaning plan too. A few issues connected to buildup and dirt could include:
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can obstruct the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining sound.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s hiding behind something, it might just be. There could be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
- Discomfort: If they feel as though they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it may be because earwax accumulation has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
Some solutions:
- Check the earwax filter to ensure it is clean; replace it if necessary.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has recommended.
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an essential procedure.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and plugged up by earwax and debris so check for that. The manufacturer will typically provide a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
You May Just Need Some Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t necessarily the issue. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take some time to adjust to your new hearing aids. As your mind adjust, you might notice that specific sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). You may also detect that particular consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
These are all indications that your brain is racing to catch up to sound again and, before long, you’ll adjust.
But it’s important 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.