Elderly man can’t hear because his hearing aid needs a new battery.

Hearing aids have been shown to benefit your health in unsuspected ways including enhancing cognitive abilities, minimizing depression, and limiting your risk of falls. Which is why when your hearing aids seem like they malfunction, it’s so frustrating. When you start detecting screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly stop working, quick solutions can make the difference between a lovely family dinner or a difficult one.

Fortunately, some of the most fundamental hearing aid problems can be eased with a few basic troubleshooting measures. figuring out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as fast as you will get you back to what’s important all the sooner.

Maybe The Batteries Need to be Swapped Out

One of the most common problems with hearing aids is a low battery. Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. 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 problems.

  • Hearing aids won’t turn on: There’s a good chance that your battery is to blame if your hearing aid keeps shutting itself off or doesn’t turn on at all.
  • Weak sounds: You feel like you are always straining to hear what’s happening around you.
  • Dull sound quality: It seems like someone is talking to you underwater or from the other side of the room.

Here’s what you do about it:

  • If you have replaceable batteries, swap them out regularly. In certain situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you might have to take the hearing aid to a professional.
  • Having the right batteries is crucial so make sure you double check that. Your hearing aid can be damaged by the wrong battery. (In some cases, the wrong kind of battery can be purchased in the correct size, so double-checking is crucial.)
  • Verify that the batteries are completely charged. Let your rechargeable batteries charge overnight or at least for several hours.

Every Surface Needs to be Cleaned

Hearing aids, naturally, 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 bit dirty. Most hearing aid models are manufactured to handle some earwax accumulation, but it’s a good idea to have a routine cleaning schedule also. A few issues linked to buildup and dirt may include:

  • Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where the fit of your hearing aid becomes a little tight. The plastic will occasionally need to be replaced if it starts to harden.
  • Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can make your hearing aid sound like it’s buried beneath something.
  • Feedback: The feedback canceling function on your hearing aid can be disrupted by earwax buildup creating a whistling sound.

Some solutions:

  • Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has instructed.
  • Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to ensure it is not covered or plugged by earwax or debris. The manufacturer will normally supply a cleaning tool which can be employed along with the manufacturer’s cleaning instruction.
  • Examine the earwax filter to make sure it’s clean; replace it if needed.
  • Make sure you are bringing your hearing aids to a specialist for routine cleaning and maintenance.

Try Giving Yourself Some Time

Sometimes, the problem isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When you first put in your hearing aids, your brain needs to get used to hearing the outside world again. As your mind adjust, you might notice that specific sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). You may also detect that particular consonant sounds might seem overly pronounced.

These are all clues that your brain is racing to catch up to sound again and, in time, you’ll adjust.

But it’s important to get help with any issues before too much time passes. If your hearing aids are uncomfortable or you’re getting 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.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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