Hearing aids have been shown to improve your health in unsuspected ways including improving cognitive abilities, reducing depression, and limiting your chance of falling. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so infuriating. The difference between a delightful dinner with family or a terrible time can be made by finding a quick remedy when your hearing aid starts screeching with feedback or quits altogether.

Fortunately, some of the most basic hearing aid issues can be reduced with a few basic troubleshooting steps. The faster you figure out what’s wrong with your hearing aid, the sooner you can get back to what’s important.

Maybe The Batteries Need to be Changed

A low battery is one of the most common issues with hearing aids. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Replaceable batteries are standard on other hearing aids. Here are some of the symptoms that may give you a clue that the batteries are the bad guy when your device goes on the fritz:

  • Hearing aids won’t turn on: There's a good possibility that your battery is the problem if your hearing aid keeps turning itself off or won't turn on at all.
  • Dull sound quality: Voices sound dull like they are distant or underwater.
  • Weak sounds: You feel like you are always straining to hear what’s going on around you.

Here’s what you do about it:

  • Having the right batteries is crucial so make sure you double check that. Putting the wrong kind of battery into your hearing aid can result in malfunctions. (In some cases, the wrong type of battery can be purchased in the right size, so double-checking is crucial.)
  • If you have replaceable batteries, replace them on a regular basis. In some situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the situation, you may have to bring the hearing aid to a specialist.
  • Make sure you have fully charged batteries. If your hearing aid has rechargeable batteries, let them charge for several hours or overnight.

Every Surface Should be Cleaned

Needless to say, hearing aids log a lot of time inside of your ears. And your ears have a lot going on inside of them. So while helping you hear, it's no surprise that your hearing aid can get a bit dirty. Most hearing aid models are designed to deal with some earwax accumulation, but it’s a good idea to have a routine cleaning plan too. Here are some of the issues that can come from too much buildup:

  • Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can cause your hearing aid to sound like it's buried beneath something.
  • Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can obstruct the feedback canceling features of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
  • Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. Sometimes, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be exchanged.

Here’s what you do about it:

  • Clean your hearing aid gently in the way that the manufacturer has directed.
  • Taking your hearing aid to a professional for regular upkeep is an important procedure.
  • Double-check the tip of the hearing aid to make certain it is not covered or blocked by earwax or debris. The manufacturer will usually supply a cleaning tool which can be used along with the manufacturer's cleaning instruction.
  • Take care of the filter by examining it and, if needed, replacing it.

Try Giving Yourself Some Time

In some cases, the issue isn’t a problem with the hearing aid. When you first pop in your hearing aids, your brain has to get used to hearing the world again. As your mind adjust, you might notice that certain sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for example). And certain consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.

As your brain works to catch up, over time, you'll adjust.

But it's important to get help with any issues before too much time passes. 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.