We tend to notice technology the most when it stops working. With hearing aids that’s particularly true: Hearing aids are an essential lifeline to the rest of the world for people who use them not just a piece of technology.
It’s both emotionally and physiologically essential to discover solutions for malfunctioning hearing aids as quickly as possible. Whether you’ve been wearing your hearing aids for a week, a year, or decades, troubleshooting can be a risky, frustrating process. But if you want to get your hearing aid working properly again there are some simple measures you can take.
Before Trouble Occurs Take Protective Measures
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of technology, they need regular maintenance. Despite the fact that the casing might appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be extremely sophisticated.
Due to this you need to keep them well maintained. As you’re wearing your hearing aids, there are a few things you can do that will make taking care of them easier.
Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean is a Must
Each day, a certain amount of wax is normally and naturally produced by your ears. And, the ear wax is, to a certain degree good for your ears. But it’s not so good for your hearing aids. To help improve the longevity of your device keep your hearing aids free and clear of wax. In fact, most hearing aids will have a built-in wax filter that should also be periodically cleaned.
Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Moisture and electronics don’t mix well. The effectiveness of your hearing aids can be jeopardized, in spite of the best protection technology available, if it is continuously exposed to moisture.
This Means wearing your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Additionally, if your hearing aids do get wet, towel-dry them; heat from a hairdryer, for instance, can damage your hearing aids.
Schedule Time With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids require specialized cleaning as they are delicate, expensive technology. Even if you’re pretty thorough about your own cleaning routines, there are just some things that can be better accomplished by a specialized cleaner.
That’s why it’s suggested that you take your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
How to Diagnose Existing Problems
Preventative steps are important if your hearing aids are currently functioning correctly. You’re probably more interested in quick fixes if your experiencing issues with your hearing aids not working anymore.
Try one of the following steps if your hearing aids aren’t working properly:
- Cycle the device power (turn it off and turn it back on). In some cases, this will correct the issue.
- Adjust the volume. There will be either a volume dial on the hearing aid or a remote you can use to do this. Try to do both if you have both features with your hearing aid.
- Inspect your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. If you find any wax accumulation or debris, clear them away.
- Inspect your hearing aids for blemishes, cracks or other noticeable signs of damage. Your hearing aid might need to be fixed if you find any of this type of damage.
- Switch between programs or change the settings. How you deal with it will depend on the model because each one is different in this regard.
- Look for loose wiring or corrosion inside the battery compartment. Any extensive damage will need to be fixed by a professional but you can attempt to clean away any corrosion you find.
- Examine your own ears. Sound from your hearing aid might be blocked by earwax buildup.
- Even if your batteries are rechargeable they will periodically need to be changed out.
If none of these measures address your hearing aid problems, it’s likely that you’ll have to have the device fixed professionally in order to bring it back to peak operating condition.
What if That Doesn’t Fix My Hearing Aids?
You will most likely have two choices if you’ve tried troubleshooting your hearing aid and it still doesn’t work: either send the hearing aids in for repair or buy a new set of hearing aids. The age of your hearing aids, your personal circumstances, and other variables will establish which choice will work best for you.
If your hearing aids aren’t working well right now, take the time to do some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t help, you can go on to the next steps, including a conversation with your hearing specialist to determine a solution. To find a solution make your appointment today.