When technology stops working properly, that’s when we tend to notice it the most. 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 crucial lifeline to the rest of the world.
So discovering solutions for a malfunctioning hearing aid, and finding those solutions quickly, is important for both physiological and emotional reasons. Troubleshooting can be a difficult, risky process whether you’ve been using them for a week, a year, or decades. But there are some relatively easy measures you can try to get your hearing aid working correctly again.
Before Trouble Occurs Take Preventative Measures
Any complex piece of technology involves maintenance, and hearing aids are no different. Even though the casing may look simple and robust, the electronics inside can be extremely sophisticated.
Which means upkeep is essential. There are some straight forward ways you can make certain to take care of your hearing aids as you’re wearing them.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Each day, a certain amount of wax is naturally and normally generated by your ears. And, the ear wax is, to a certain extent helpful for your ears. But your hearing aids can be damaged by it. Keeping your hearing aids clean and clear of wax can help the longevity of the devices. The fact is that most hearing aids will have a built-in wax filter that should also be cleaned periodically.
Moisture is The Enemy of Hearing Aids
Electronics and moisture don’t do well together. And despite the best protection technology can produce, consistent exposure to moisture can eventually wear out the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.
This Means wearing your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Additionally, if your hearing aids do get wet, dry them with a towel; heat from a hairdryer, as an example, can harm your hearing aids.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids require specialized cleaning because they are delicate, expensive technology. A specialized cleaner can better achieve certain things that you can’t, even if you’re pretty rigorous about your cleaning routines.
Every 4-6 months is the suggested time between cleanings.
How to Troubleshoot Existing Issues
Preventative steps are crucial if your hearing aids are currently functioning properly. You’re probably more interested in quick fixes if your experiencing issues with your hearing aids not working anymore.
Try one of the following steps if your hearing aids aren’t working correctly:
- Inspect the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. Any significant damage will have to be fixed by a professional but you can attempt to clean away any corrosion you find.
- Adjust the settings or toggle between programs. How you respond will depend on the model because they’re all different in this way.
- Check your own ears. It’s possible that earwax buildup in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
- Check your hearing aid for wax or debris accumulate. Carefully wipe away any wax or debris you might find.
- Reboot the device (turn it off and turn it back on). This will fix the issue in certain cases.
- Inspect your hearing aids for noticeable signs of damage, such as blemishes or cracks. Such damage could suggest the hearing aid needs repairs.
- Even if your batteries are rechargeable they will periodically need to be changed out.
- Adjust the volume. There will either be a volume wheel on the hearing aid or a remote you can use for this. If your hearing aid has both options, try doing both.
If none of these tips address your hearing aid troubles, you will probably have to have the device repaired professionally in order to bring it back to peak functional condition.
What if Nothing I Try Works?
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 service or buy a new set of hearing aids. Which option works best for you will depend on your circumstances, how old your hearing aids are, and other variables.
If your hearing aids aren’t working properly right now, take the time to do some troubleshooting. A discussion with a hearing professional to determine a solution is the next thing you should do if that doesn’t help. Schedule an appointment to find a solution today.