If you have hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When your hearing aid fails at its one job, it can be really frustrating. Here’s the good news, with regular upkeep, your hearing aids should be up to the job.
Consider this list before you do anything rash. If it’s not one of these common issues, it might be time to pay us a visit to make sure there isn’t a bigger issue. Your hearing might have changed, for instance, or you may need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten considerably smaller and lifespans are getting better, the batteries still need to be replaced occasionally or recharged. So staying on top of charging your batteries is crucial. If it seems as if the sound is diminishing or coming and going, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Investing in a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until you need to use them, always a good idea, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that huge pack you purchased months ago most likely won’t hold a charge as long as the first few did. Another trick: Wait five minutes after you unpack new batteries before you install them. This can help extend the battery life by allowing the zinc to become active.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Regardless of how clean you keep your ears, and if you have difficulty hearing, you’re a lot more likely than the average individual to pay attention to earwax, your hearing aids are going to collect debris and dirt. You may find yourself with a dirt problem if sounds seem slightly off or distorted.
The fix: Clean Them Out—And Keep Them Clean!
There are lots of products on the market specifically for cleaning hearing aids, but you can DIY it with items 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 go a long way to keeping your hearing aids clean. Wash and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and remove them while you’re doing things, like washing your face, styling your hair, or even shaving, that might put them at risk of being spritzed, sprayed, or splattered.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can wreak havoc on hearing aids, and it doesn’t take much to do so (you won’t need to be submerged, even a sweat can be an issue). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be effected by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s entered, you could experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They may even appear to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Be sure that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re storing them for longer than overnight, remove the batteries completely. It takes almost zero effort and guarantees that air can move, and any captured moisture can escape.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to keep your hearing aids. Don’t store them in the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. If you live in a humid environment, you may want to think about investing in a hearing aid storage box. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive versions get rid of moisture with electronics.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it might be time for you to give us a call.