We tend to notice technology the most when it quits working. With hearing aids that’s particularly true: To the majority of people who wear them, hearing aids are more than a piece of technology; they’re a critical lifeline to the rest of society.
It’s both emotionally and physiologically important to discover solutions for broken hearing aids as quickly as possible. Troubleshooting can be a frustrating, risky process whether you’ve been wearing them for a week, a year, or decades. But if you want to get your hearing aid working correctly again there are some simple steps you can take.
Preventing Trouble Before it Occurs
Any advanced piece of technology involves upkeep, and hearing aids are no exception. 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. While you’re wearing your hearing aids, there are some things you can do that will make taking care of them simpler.
Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean is a Must
Your ears normally and naturally make a certain amount of wax each day. And, to some degree, that earwax is helpful for your ears. But it’s not so good for your hearing aids. Keeping your hearing aids clear and clean of wax buildup can help improve the life of the devices. In fact, most hearing aids will have a built-in wax filter that should also be cleaned periodically.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Moisture and electronics don’t mix well. And in spite of the best protection technology can produce, repeated exposure to moisture can eventually wear out the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.
This Means using your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Also, dry your hearing aids with a towel if they get wet. Don’t use a hair dryer because it can damage them.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids need specialized cleaning since they are delicate, expensive technology. 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 recommended time between cleanings.
Troubleshooting Issues That Are Already Happening
Even if your hearing aids are presently working, you will still need to take protective steps. You’re most likely more interested in quick fixes if your having issues with your hearing aids not working anymore.
Try one of the following steps if your hearing aids aren’t working properly:
- Turn your hearing aid of then back on. This will correct the problem in certain cases.
- Adjust the volume. This can be done with a remote or manually with the wheel on the hearing aid. Try to do both if you have the option with your hearing aid.
- Look inside the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. Any extensive damage will need to be fixed by a professional but you can try cleaning away any corrosion you discover.
- Inspect your hearing aid for debris or wax build up. If you discover any wax accumulation or debris, clean them away.
- Check your own ears. It’s possible that earwax buildup in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
- Change the settings or toggle between programs. Most hearing aids are different in this regard, so your response will depend on the model you’re using.
- Take a good look at your hearing aids for visible signs of damage, like cracks or blemishes. Such damage could suggest the hearing aid needs to be repaired.
- Change out your battery or power source, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
If none of these steps address your hearing aid issues, you will probably have to get the device repaired professionally in order to return it to peak functional condition.
What if That Doesn’t Fix My Hearing Aids?
You will likely have two choices if you’ve tried troubleshooting your hearing aid and it still doesn’t work: you either need to buy a new pair or send them in for repair. Which choice works best for you will depend on your situation, the age of your hearing aids, and other variables.
Take the time to troubleshoot your hearing aids if they aren’t working correctly. A conversation with a hearing professional to determine a solution is the next thing you should do if that doesn’t help. To find a solution make an appointment right away.