If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working correctly, it can be downright frustrating, it’s a total “You had ONE job” situation. Luckily, your hearing aids should have no issue doing their job if you take proper care of them.
Before you do anything drastic, consider this list. It might be time to come in and see us if you find it isn’t one of these common problems. Your hearing might have changed, for instance, or you might need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
Hearing aid batteries, while improving in quality, still need to be recharged or replaced occasionally. So staying on top of charging your batteries is crucial. 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, especially if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until it’s time to use them, always a good idea, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that giant pack you purchased months ago likely won’t maintain a charge as long as the first few did. Another trick: Wait five minutes after you unpack new batteries before you install them. This gives the zinc time to become active, and can possibly extend the life of the batteries.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Your hearing aids will gather 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 may find yourself with a dirt problem if sounds seem a bit off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can get a kit for keeping your hearing aids clean or you can use items 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 disassembling it.
You can help keep your hearing aids from attracting excess filth by employing basic hygiene practices. Clean and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and take them out while you’re doing things, such as washing your face, styling your hair, or even shaving, that may put them in jeopardy of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can wreak havoc on hearing aids, and it doesn’t take much to do so (think working up a sweat, not snorkeling). Even humidity in the air can be an issue, clogging up the hearing aid’s air vents or draining faster. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, 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 captured moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to flow with almost no effort on your part.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry spot. The bedroom is a practical spot, skip the kitchen or bathroom. Storing them in the bathroom might seem convenient but moisture is just too much. If you live in a humid environment, you might want to think about investing in a hearing aid storage box. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a little moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly versions get rid of moisture with electronics.
None of the above are working out? It may be time to speak with us.
