If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working right, it can be extremely frustrating, it’s a total “You had ONE job” situation. Fortunately, your hearing aids should have no issue doing their job if you properly maintain them.
Before you do anything drastic, look at this list. If it’s not one of these common issues, it might be time to schedule an appointment with us to ensure there isn’t a larger issue. For example, your hearing aids may need recalibration, or your hearing may have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
Hearing aid batteries, while improving in quality, still need to be recharged or replaced sometimes. That means that it’s essential to maintain your hearing aids’ batteries. The first thing you need to do if your hearing aid begins to fail or cut in and out is check the battery.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
A battery tester is a practical investment, especially 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 become active, and can potentially help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Regardless of how clean you keep your ears, and if you have a tough time hearing, you’re much more likely than the average person to pay attention to earwax, your hearing aids are going to accumulate debris and dirt. You may find yourself with a dirt issue if sounds seem a bit off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can purchase 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 computer screen or cellphone, to wipe your hearing aid down after taking it apart.
Simple hygiene habits will really help with keeping your hearing aids clean. Wash and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and remove them while you’re doing anything, such as washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that may put them in danger of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think sweating, not snorkeling). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be impacted by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, you might experience problems from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They may even appear to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Be sure that when you store your hearing aids, the battery door is open; and if you’re taking them out for longer than overnight, take out the batteries completely. It takes almost no effort and guarantees that air can move, and any trapped moisture can get out.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. The bedroom is a practical spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. You will likely want to purchase a hearing aid storage box if you live in an overly humid environment. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a little moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive versions remove moisture with electronics.
None of the above are working out? It might be time to talk to us.