Lowering your chance of depression, decreasing the danger of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the surprising health benefits that have been proven to come from using 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 abruptly stop working, expedient solutions can make the difference between a pleasant family dinner or a difficult one.
The good news is, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take that may relieve or manage some common hearing aid issues. figuring out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as quickly as you will can you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Try Swapping Out The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most prevalent issues with hearing aids. Many hearing aids have rechargeable batteries. Replaceable batteries are standard on other hearing aids. Here are some of the symptoms that may lead you to believe the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are always struggling to hear what’s happening around you.
- Dull sound quality: Voices sound muffled like they are far away or underwater.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good possibility that your battery is the problem if your hearing aid keeps shutting itself off or won’t turn on at all.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Swap out the batteries if your hearing aid is manufactured to allow that. You might have to bring your hearing aid in to a specialist if the battery is sealed inside.
- Having the right batteries is essential so make certain you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the incorrect battery. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be cautious and check twice.)
- Ensure the batteries are completely charged. If your hearing aid comes with rechargeable batteries, let them charge 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 taking place inside of them. So while helping you hear, it’s no surprise that your hearing aid can get somewhat dirty. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to cope with some earwax, it’s a practical idea to have them cleaned now and again. A few problems related to buildup and dirt might include:
- Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup creating a whistling sound.
- Discomfort: If they feel as if they’re suddenly too large for your ears, it might be because earwax accumulation has started interfering with the fit. The plastic will occasionally need to be replaced if it begins to harden.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried beneath something.
Some solutions:
- Bringing your hearing aid to a specialist for regular upkeep is an essential procedure.
- Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it’s not covered or blocked by debris or earwax. The manufacturer will usually supply a cleaning tool which can be used along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Clean your hearing aid carefully in the way that the manufacturer has recommended.
- Take care of the filter by checking it and, when needed, replacing it.
You May Just Need Some 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. As your mind adapts, you might notice that specific sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). You may also notice that particular consonant sounds may seem overly pronounced.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adapt.
But it’s worthwhile to get help with any issues before too much time passes. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re experiencing continuous 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.