Your hearing aids should improve your hearing right? When your hearing aid stops doing its job, it can be really frustrating. The good news is, with regular upkeep, your hearing aids should continue to function efficiently.
Before you do anything drastic, go through this list. If it’s not one of these common problems, it may be time to pay us a visit to ensure there isn’t a larger problem. Your hearing may have changed, for example, 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 have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. So staying on top of charging your batteries is important. If it seems as if the sound is diminishing or coming and going, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Purchasing a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a smart idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until you need to use them, always a smart idea, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that huge pack you bought months ago likely won’t maintain a charge as long as the first few did. Another trick: Wait five minutes after you open new batteries before you put them in your hearing aids. This gives the zinc time to become active, and can possibly help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Your hearing aids will accumulate debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have difficulty hearing you’re most likely more conscientious about earwax. If you can hear but sounds seem distorted or a little off, dirt might be the cause.
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. You can use a microfiber cloth, like the kind you use to clean your cellphone or glasses, to wipe your hearing aid down after disassembling it.
You can help stop your hearing aids from collecting excess filth by employing simple hygiene habits. Whenever you do something that involves liquid or moisture, such as washing your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make sure your hands aren’t wet when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can be a real problem for hearing aids, and it doesn’t take much to do so (you don’t need to be submerged, even a sweat can be problematic). Even humidity in the air can be a problem, clogging up the hearing aid’s air vents or draining faster. Issues ranging from distortion to static or even crackling might happen depending on how much moisture is inside. They may even seem to stop working.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Be certain that when you store your hearing aids, you open the battery door; and if you’re taking them out for longer than 24 hours, take out the batteries completely. It takes almost no effort and guarantees that air can move, and any captured moisture can escape.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. The bedroom is a practical spot, skip the kitchen or bathroom. Keeping them in the bathroom might seem convenient but moisture is just too much. If you live in a humid environment, you might want to think about getting a hearing aid storage box. Most models use a desiccant in the form of a little moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly models eliminate moisture with electronics.
None of the above are working out? It may be time to talk to us.
