We tend to notice technology the most when it quits working. With hearing aids that’s especially true: Hearing aids are a critical 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 find solutions for malfunctioning hearing aids as quickly as possible. Troubleshooting can be a frustrating, risky process whether you’ve been using them for a week, a year, or decades. But there are some fairly easy strategies you can try to get your hearing aid working properly again.
Before Problems Happen Take Protective Measures
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of technology, they require routine upkeep. Even though the casing may appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be amazingly sophisticated.
As a result of this you need to keep them well maintained. There are some straight forward ways you can make certain to take care of your hearing aids while you’re using them.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Each day, a certain amount of wax is normally and naturally created by your ears. And, the ear wax is, to a certain extent helpful for your ears. But it’s not so good for your hearing aids. Keeping your hearing aids clean and clear of wax can help improve the life of the devices. The fact is that a built-in wax filter comes with most hearing aids that should also be periodically cleaned.
Moisture is The Enemy of Hearing Aids
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. The performance of your hearing aids can be jeopardized, in spite of the best protection technology available, if it is continuously exposed to moisture.
This means that you should not use your hearing aids in the shower or while in the pool. Also, if your hearing aids do get wet, dry them with a towel; heat from a hairdryer, for example, can hurt your hearing aids.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and commonly expensive) technology, and as such, they need specialized cleaning practices. Even if you’re pretty thorough about your own cleaning routines, there are just some things that can be better achieved by a specialized cleaner.
Every 4-6 months is the suggested time between cleanings.
How to Diagnose Existing Problems
Preventative steps are important if your hearing aids are currently functioning properly. You’re probably more interested in quick fixes if your experiencing problems with your hearing aids not working anymore.
If your hearing aids aren’t working correctly, try one of the following steps:
- Change out your battery or power source, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
- Take a good look at your hearing aids for obvious signs of damage, like cracks or blemishes. Such damage could indicate the hearing aid needs repairs.
- Cycle the device power (turn it off and turn it back on). This will correct the problem in some cases.
- Look inside the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. If you see any corrosion, you can attempt to carefully clean it away, but considerable damage will need to be fixed professionally.
- Examine your own ears. Sound from your hearing aid could be blocked by earwax buildup.
- Adjust the volume. There will be either a volume dial on the hearing aid or a remote you can use for this. Try both if you have the option with your hearing aid.
- Check your hearing aid for wax or debris accumulate. Carefully clear away any debris or wax you might find.
- Change the settings or switch between programs. Many hearing aids are different in this regard, so your plan of action will depend on the model you have.
It’s likely that you will need to have the device repaired by a professional if you want it back to peak performance if none of these steps help.
What if Nothing I Try Helps?
When your hearing aids aren’t working well anymore and troubleshooting has not addressed the issue, you will most likely have two options: either send the hearing aids in for repair or buy a new set of hearing aids. Which option works best for you will depend on your circumstances, the age of your hearing aids, and other variables.
Take the time to troubleshoot your hearing aids if they aren’t working properly. If that doesn’t work, you can go on to the next steps, including a discussion with your hearing specialist to find a remedy. Make an appointment to find a solution today.
