When technology stops working correctly, that’s when we usually notice it the most. With hearing aids that’s particularly true: Hearing aids are a crucial lifeline to the rest of the world for people who wear them not just a piece of technology.
So discovering solutions for a malfunctioning hearing aid, and finding those solutions as quickly as possible, is vital for both physiological and emotional reasons. Troubleshooting can be a difficult, risky process whether you’ve been wearing them for a week, a year, or decades. But there are some relatively easy strategies you can try to get your hearing aid working properly again.
Before Trouble Occurs Take Protective Measures
Any complex piece of technology involves maintenance, and hearing aids are no different. Even though the casing might appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be amazingly sophisticated.
Which means upkeep is essential. There are a few straight forward ways you can make sure to take care of your hearing aids as you’re using them.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Every day, a certain amount of wax is normally and naturally produced by your ears. And, to a certain extent, that earwax is helpful for your ears. But it’s not so great for your hearing aids. Keeping your hearing aids clear and clean of wax can help the life of the devices. The fact is that a built-in wax filter comes standard with most hearing aids that should also be periodically cleaned.
Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. And despite the best protection technology can build, repeated exposure to moisture can eventually wear down the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.
This means that you should not wear your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming. Also, towel dry your hearing aids if they get wet. Don’t use a hair dryer because it can harm them.
Schedule an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and often expensive) technology, and as such, they require specialized cleaning practices. A specialized cleaner can better achieve certain things that you can’t, even if you’re pretty thorough about your cleaning habits.
That’s why it’s suggested that you take your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
How to Troubleshoot Existing Issues
Even if your hearing aids are presently working, you will still need to take preventative steps. But if you’re experiencing issues, if your hearing aids aren’t working well anymore, you’re probably more interested in some quick fixes.
If your hearing aids aren’t functioning properly, try one of the following steps:
- Check your own ears. It’s possible that earwax buildup in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
- Inspect your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. If you find any wax accumulation or debris, clear them away.
- Adjust the settings or switch between programs. How you respond will depend on the model because they’re all different in this regard.
- Inspect your hearing aids for visible signs of damage, like cracks or blemishes. Such damage could suggest the hearing aid needs to be repaired.
- Inspect the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. If you find corrosion, you can attempt to carefully clean it away, but considerable damage will need to be fixed professionally.
- Turn your hearing aid of then back on. This will fix the issue in some cases.
- Adjust the volume. There will either be a volume wheel on the hearing aid or a remote you can use to do this. If your hearing aid has both options, try both ways.
- Replace your battery or power source, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
If none of these steps address your hearing aid troubles, it’s likely that you’ll have to get the device repaired professionally in order to bring it back to peak operating condition.
What if Nothing I Try Helps?
You will likely have two choices if you’ve tried troubleshooting your hearing aid and it still won’t work: you either need to get a new pair or send them in for service. Which option works better for you will vary depending on your situation, the age of your hearing aids, and other variables.
If your hearing aids aren’t working properly right now, take the time to do some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t help, you can move on to the next steps, such as a discussion with your hearing specialist to determine a remedy. To find a solution schedule your appointment today.