If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be able to hear, right? When your hearing aid stops doing its job, it can be seriously frustrating. The good news is, with regular maintenance, your hearing aids should be up to the job.
Before you do anything drastic, consider this list. If it’s not one of these ordinary issues, it might be time to pay us a visit 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
Hearing aid batteries, while improving in quality, still require recharging and replacing occasionally. That means that it’s essential to keep up with your hearing aids’ batteries. The first thing you should do if your hearing aid begins to fail or cut in and out is check the battery.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Purchasing a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a smart idea. 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 installing them. This can help extend the battery life by allowing the zinc to become active.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Regardless of how clean you keep your ears, and if you have difficulty hearing, you’re much more likely than the average person to pay attention to earwax, your hearing aids are going to gather 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!
You can purchase a kit for cleaning your hearing aids or you can use items you already have around the house to keep them clean. Once you’ve taken apart your hearing aids, use a soft, microfiber cloth (like you’d use to clean glasses or smartphone) to wipe down the components.
You can help stop your hearing aids from attracting excess filth by employing simple hygiene practices. Wash and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and remove them while you’re doing anything, like washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that might put them in danger of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really damage your hearing aid (you won’t need to be submerged, even a sweat can be problematic). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be effected by humidity in the air. Issues ranging from distortion to static or even crackling may happen depending on how much moisture is inside. They may even seem to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Be sure that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re taking them out for longer than overnight, take out the batteries entirely. Any captured moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with very little effort on your part.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. Don’t keep 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 might want to think about purchasing a hearing aid storage box. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly models eliminate 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.