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 continue to function efficiently.
Go through this list before you do anything rash. If it’s not one of these ordinary issues, it might be time to schedule an appointment with us to ensure there isn’t a more substantial issue. Your hearing might have changed, for example, or you may 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 need to be occasionally replaced or recharged. That means that it’s essential to maintain your hearing aids’ batteries. The first thing you should do if your hearing aid starts to falter or cut in and out is check the battery.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
A battery tester is a beneficial investment, especially if you like to stock up. 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 giant 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 potentially help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
No matter how clean you keep your ears, and if you have difficulty hearing, you’re a lot more likely than the average person to pay attention to earwax, your hearing aids are going to collect dirt and debris. You might find yourself with a dirt problem if sounds seem a little off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em 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. 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.
You can help keep your hearing aids from collecting excess grime by employing simple hygiene habits. Wash and dry your hands before you take care of your hearing aids, and take them out while you’re doing anything, such as washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that may put them at risk of being spritzed, sprayed, or splattered.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think working up a sweat, not snorkeling). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be effected by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, you may experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They may even seem to stop working.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Be certain that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re storing them for longer than overnight, remove the batteries completely. It takes almost zero effort and ensures 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 smart spot, skip the kitchen or bathroom. Storing them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. You will probably want to get a hearing aid storage box if you live in a very humid environment. Pricier models plug in, but less expensive options use desiccants or gels (yes, like those “throw away do not eat” packets you find in the box when you purchase a pair of shoes) to take in moisture.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it may be time for a consultation with us.