If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working correctly, it can be thoroughly frustrating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” scenario. Luckily, your hearing aids should have no issue doing their job if you properly maintain them.
Before you do anything drastic, look at this list. It might be time to come in and see us if you find it isn’t one of these common issues. Your hearing may have changed, for instance, or you might need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten dramatically smaller and lifespans are getting better, the batteries still have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. That means that it’s important to maintain your hearing aids’ batteries. 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 worthwhile investment, particularly if you like to stock up. Even if you keep batteries sealed until it’s time to use them, always a good plan, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that huge pack you purchased months ago most likely won’t last as long as the first few did. Another trick: When you open 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
Your hearing aids will collect dirt and debris regardless of how clean you keep your ears and if you have trouble hearing you’re most likely more conscientious about earwax. If you can hear but sounds seem distorted or a little off, dirt may be the cause.
The fix: Clean Them Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can purchase a kit for cleaning your hearing aids or you can use things you already have around the house to clean them. You can use a microfiber cloth, like the kind you use to clean your cellphone or glasses, to wipe your hearing aid down after taking it apart.
Simple hygiene habits will go a long way to keeping your hearing aids clean. Whenever you do something that calls for liquid or moisture, like washing your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make certain your hands are dry when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can wreak havoc on hearing aids, and it doesn’t take very much to do so (think sweating, not snorkeling). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be impacted by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s entered, you may experience problems from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They may even seem to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Keep the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, remove the battery. Any trapped moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with almost no effort on your part.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but there’s just too much moisture. If you live in a humid environment, you might want to consider investing in a hearing aid storage box. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a little moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive versions eliminate moisture with electronics.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it may be time for you to give us a call.