Hearing aids have been proven to improve your health in unsuspected ways including boosting cognitive abilities, minimizing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why it can be so aggravating when these devices have malfunctions. The difference between a pleasant dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by discovering a fast solution when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or goes silent altogether.
Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid issues can be alleviated with a few basic troubleshooting steps. figuring out what’s wrong 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
One of the most common problems with hearing aids is a low battery. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Other devices are made to have their batteries changed. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it most likely means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid problems.
- Dull sound quality: It seems like somebody is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid doesn’t turn on, or won’t stay on, there’s a good possibility the battery is the primary issue.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
Here’s what you do about it:
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. In some cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you might need to bring the hearing aid to a specialist.
- Verify that the batteries are completely charged. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or for at least a few hours.
- 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 correct size, so double-checking is important.)
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And there’s a lot happening in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So while helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get a little dirty. Despite the fact that hearing aids are designed to deal with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to have them cleaned once in a while. A few problems connected to buildup and dirt could include:
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can obstruct the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Discomfort: Earwax can accumulate to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can cause your hearing aid to sound like it’s buried beneath something.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Take care of the filter by checking it and, if needed, replacing it.
- Taking your hearing aid to a professional for routine upkeep is an important procedure.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or blocked by earwax or debris. Clean with your cleaning tool or as advised by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has advised.
You May Simply Need a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t always the issue. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take some time to get used to your new hearing aids. Certain sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for example) might at first come across as unpleasantly loud. And certain consonants frequently sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, over time, you’ll adapt.
But it’s important to get help with any problems before too much time passes. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re getting continuous 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 make sure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.