Lowering your chance of depression, minimizing your risk of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the unexpected health benefits that have been proven to come from wearing hearing aids. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so infuriating. When you start observing buzzing feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly go silent, quick solutions can be the difference between a wonderful family dinner or a difficult one.
Fortunately, some of the most fundamental hearing aid problems can be eased with a few practical troubleshooting measures. Finding out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as fast as possible will get you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Try Changing The Batteries
A low battery is one of the most prevalent challenges with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with many hearing aid models. Other devices are designed to have their batteries changed. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it most likely means the batteries are the reason for your hearing aid issues.
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good chance that your battery is the problem if your hearing aid keeps shutting itself off or won’t turn on at all.
- Weak sounds: You’re struggling to hear what’s taking place around you and that seems to be occurring more frequently.
- Dull sound quality: It seems like somebody is talking to you underwater or from across the room.
Some solutions:
- Make certain you have fully charged batteries. If your hearing aid has rechargeable batteries, let them charge for several hours or overnight.
- Check twice to make sure the right batteries are used. Putting the wrong kind of battery in your hearing aid can cause malfunctions. (Sometimes, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the correct size, so double-checking is crucial.)
- If you have replaceable batteries, swap them out regularly. In some cases, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you might have to take the hearing aid to a specialist.
Try to Clean Every Surface
Needless to say, hearing aids log a lot of time inside your ears. And there’s a lot happening in there (your ears are like party rooms, only more hygienic). So it’s no surprise that your hearing aids will get somewhat dirty in the process of helping you hear. Most hearing aid models are designed to deal with some earwax buildup, but it’s a practical idea to have a routine cleaning plan also. A few problems related to buildup and dirt might include:
- Muffled sound: If your hearing aid sounds like it’s lost behind something, it might just be. There may be earwax or other accumulation getting in the way.
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whistling noise.
- Discomfort: Earwax can accumulate to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. Occasionally, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.
Some solutions:
- The tip of your hearing aid can become coated and clogged up by earwax and debris so look for that. The manufacturer will normally supply a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
- Make sure you are sending your hearing aids to a professional for regular maintenance and cleaning.
- Gently clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Check the earwax filter to ensure it’s clean; replace it if needed.
You May Simply Need Some Time
In some cases, the issue isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain has to get accustomed to hearing the outside world again. As your mind adjust, you may notice that some sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). And some consonants frequently sound louder than the rest of the speech.
As your brain works to catch up, before long, you’ll adjust.
However, it’s worthwhile not to let too much time pass, with any issue, before seeking help. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re getting continuous noise problems or things don’t seem to be working just the way they should be, we can help get you back on track and ensure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.
