If you have hearing aids, you should be able to hear, right? When they aren’t working properly, it can be downright frustrating, it’s a total “You had ONE job” scenario. Here’s the good news, with regular upkeep, your hearing aids should continue to function efficiently.
Go through this list before you do anything rash. It might be time to come in and talk with us if you find it’s not one of these ordinary problems. Your hearing might have changed, for example, or you may need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
Hearing aid batteries, while improving in quality, still need to be recharged or replaced sometimes. So keeping up with charging your batteries is crucial. 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 practical investment, particularly if you like to stock up. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack might not have as much voltage as the first few even if they stay sealed. Another trick: When you open new batteries, wait 5 minutes before installing them. This gives the zinc time to activate, and can possibly extend the life of the batteries.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Your hearing aids will accumulate debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have problems hearing you’re most likely more conscientious about earwax. If you can hear but sounds seem distorted or somewhat off, dirt might be the cause.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
There are lots of products available 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 grime by employing basic hygiene habits. Wash and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and take them out 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 harm your hearing aid (think sweating, not snorkeling). Even humidity in the air can be an issue, blocking up the hearing aid’s air vents or causing batteries to drain faster. Depending on how much moisture’s entered, you could experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Make sure that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re storing them for longer than 24 hours, take out the batteries entirely. Any trapped moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to flow with very little effort on your part.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry place. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Although the latter is convenient, the moisture from a hot shower is exactly what you don’t want. If you live in a humid environment, you may want to consider purchasing a hearing aid storage box. Pricier versions plug in, but less costly options use desiccants or gels (yes, like those “throw away do not eat” packets you find in the box when you buy shoes) to take in moisture.
None of these are working? It might be time to talk to us.