Lowering your chance of depression, minimizing your risk of falling, and enhancing cognitive ability are some of the unsuspected health advantages that have been shown to come from using hearing aids. Which is why it can be so frustrating when these devices fail to function properly. When you start observing buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids abruptly stop working, quick solutions can make the difference between a lovely family dinner or a difficult one.
The good news is, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you can take which may ease or address some common hearing aid issues. The sooner you determine what’s going on with your hearing aid, the sooner you can go back to what’s important.
Try Changing The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most common issues with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Changeable batteries are standard on other models. If you’re going through any of these symptoms, it probably means the batteries are to blame for your hearing aid issues.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound muffled like they are distant or underwater.
- 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 problem.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more and more.
Some solutions:
- Double-check to make sure the correct batteries are used. Putting the wrong kind of battery in your hearing aid can lead to malfunctions. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s essential that you be careful and check twice.)
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. You may have to take your hearing aid in to a specialist if the battery is sealed inside.
- Make sure you have fully charged batteries. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, charge them for a few hours or overnight.
Every Surface Needs to be Cleaned
Obviously, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So in the process of 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 cope with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned now and again. Here are some of the issues 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 buildup has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will sometimes need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s lost behind something, maybe it is. There could be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can obstruct the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whistling sound.
Some solutions:
- Carefully clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Bringing your hearing aid to a professional for regular upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Examine the earwax filter to ensure it’s clean; replace it if necessary.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it’s not covered or plugged by debris or earwax. The manufacturer will usually provide a cleaning tool which can be used along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
Try Giving Yourself a Little Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t necessarily the problem. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take a little time to get used to your new hearing aids. Particular sounds (the buzzing of an air conditioner, for instance) might initially come across as unpleasantly loud. And some consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adapt.
Even so, it’s worthwhile not to let too much time go by, with any problem, before seeking help. 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.