If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working right, it can be extremely frustrating, it’s a total “You had ONE job” situation. Fortunately, your hearing aids should have no issue doing their job if you properly maintain them.
Before you do anything drastic, look at this list. If it’s not one of these common issues, it may be time to schedule an appointment with us to ensure there isn’t a larger issue. For example, your hearing aids might need recalibration, or your hearing may have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
Hearing aid batteries, while improving in quality, still require recharging and replacing occasionally. So keeping up with charging your batteries is important. If it seems like the sound is fading or cutting in and out, check your battery first.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Purchasing a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a worthwhile idea. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack might not have as much voltage as the first few even if you keep them sealed. 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: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Your hearing aids will gather debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have trouble hearing you’re probably more conscientious about earwax. You might find yourself with a dirt issue if sounds seem a little off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can purchase a kit for keeping your hearing aids clean or you can use items 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 glasses or smartphone) to wipe down the components.
Simple hygiene habits will really help with keeping your hearing aids clean. Clean and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and remove them while you’re doing anything, like washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that may put them at risk of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can be a real problem for hearing aids, and it doesn’t take very much to do so (you don’t need to be underwater, even a sweat can be a problem). Even humidity in the air can be a problem, blocking up the hearing aid’s air vents or draining more quickly. Issues ranging from distortion to static or even crackling might happen depending on how much moisture is inside. They might even appear to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Leave the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, take the battery out. Any trapped moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with very little effort on your part.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry place. The bedroom is a practical spot, skip the kitchen or bathroom. Storing them in the bathroom might seem convenient but there’s just too much moisture. You will likely want to get a hearing aid storage box if you live in a very humid environment. Pricier models plug in, but less expensive models 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 might be time for you to give us a call.