If you have hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working properly, it can be downright infuriating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” situation. Here’s the good news, with regular maintenance, your hearing aids should be up to the job.
Before you do anything extreme, go through this list. It may be time to come in and see us if you find it isn’t one of these ordinary issues. For instance, your hearing aids may need recalibration, or your hearing may have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten considerably smaller and lifespans are improving, the batteries still have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. That means that it’s important to keep up with your hearing aids’ batteries. If it seems like the sound is fading or cutting in and out, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Investing in a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack might 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 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 accumulate debris and dirt regardless of how clean you keep your ears and if you have difficulty hearing you’re probably more conscientious about earwax. 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 plenty of products on the market specifically for cleaning hearing aids, but you can DIY it with things you already have around the house. You can use a microfiber cloth, like the kind you use to clean your computer screen or cellphone, to wipe your hearing aid down after disassembling it.
You can help keep your hearing aids from attracting excess filth by practicing basic hygiene practices. Clean and dry your hands before you take care of your hearing aids, and remove them while you’re doing things, like washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that might put them in danger of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a small amount of moisture can really damage your hearing aid (think sweating, not deep-sea diving). 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 could experience problems from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to shut down.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Make sure 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. 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 keep your hearing aids. The bedroom is a practical spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. You will probably want to purchase a hearing aid storage box if you live in an overly humid climate. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly versions eliminate moisture with electronics.
None of these are working? It might be time to speak with us.
