If you have hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working properly, it can be extremely frustrating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” situation. Here’s the good news, with regular upkeep, your hearing aids should be up to the job.
Go through this list before you do anything hasty. If it’s not one of these ordinary issues, it might be time to schedule an appointment with us to ensure there isn’t a more substantial problem. For example, your hearing aids might need recalibration, or your hearing may have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten dramatically smaller and lifespans are improving, the batteries still need to be replaced occasionally or recharged. So keeping up with charging your batteries is crucial. If it seems like the sound is diminishing or cutting in and out, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
A battery tester is a worthwhile investment, particularly if you like to stock up. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack might not have the same voltage as the first few even if you keep them sealed. Another trick: When you unpack new batteries, wait 5 minutes before putting them in. This gives the zinc time to activate, and can possibly help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Your hearing aids will accumulate debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have trouble hearing you’re probably more conscientious about earwax. If you can hear but sounds seem distorted or a bit off, dirt could be the cause.
The fix: Clean Them Out—And Keep Them Clean!
There are plenty of products available specifically for cleaning hearing aids, but you can DIY it with things you already have around the house. Once you’ve taken apart your hearing aids, use a soft, microfiber cloth (like you’d use to clean the screen of a computer or smartphone) to wipe down the hardware.
Simple hygiene habits will really help with keeping your hearing aids clean. Whenever you do something that involves liquid or moisture, such as cleaning your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make certain your hands aren’t wet when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a small amount of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think working up a sweat, not snorkeling). Even humidity in the air can be a problem, clogging up the hearing aid’s air vents or causing batteries to drain faster. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, you could experience problems from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even appear to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Keep the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, remove the battery. Any captured moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with very little effort on your part.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry spot. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the kitchen or bathroom. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. You will most likely want to purchase a hearing aid storage box if you live in an overly humid environment. Pricier versions plug in, but less costly options use desiccants or gels (yes, like those “throw away do not eat” packets you find in the box when you purchase shoes) to absorb moisture.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it might be time for a consultation with us.