If you have hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working correctly, it can be extremely frustrating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” situation. Fortunately, your hearing aids should have no trouble doing their job if you take proper care of them.
Go through this list before you do anything hasty. It may be time to come in and talk with us if you find it isn’t one of these common problems. For instance, your hearing aids may need recalibration, or your hearing could have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten significantly smaller and lifespans are improving, the batteries still have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. So keeping up with charging your batteries is crucial. If it seems like the sound is fading or coming and going, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
A battery tester is a practical investment, particularly if you like to stock up. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack may not have the same voltage as the first few even if they stay sealed. 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: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Your hearing aids will accumulate debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have problems hearing you’re most likely more conscientious about earwax. You may find yourself with a dirt problem if sounds seem a little off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can get a kit for cleaning your hearing aids or you can use things you already have around the house to keep them clean. Once you’ve disassembled 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. Whenever you do something that involves liquid or dampness, like cleaning your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make certain your hands aren’t wet when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think working up a sweat, not snorkeling). Even humidity in the air can be an issue, blocking up the hearing aid’s air vents or causing batteries to drain faster. Depending on how much moisture’s entered, you might experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Be certain that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re taking them out for longer than 24 hours, take out the batteries entirely. It takes almost no effort and guarantees that air can circulate, and any trapped moisture can escape.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry spot. Don’t store them in the kitchen or bathroom. Even though the latter is convenient, the steam from a hot shower is precisely what you don’t want. You will most likely want to get a hearing aid storage box if you live in a very humid climate. Most models use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive models remove 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.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
