If you have hearing aids, you should capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working properly, it can be downright frustrating, it’s a total “You had ONE job” scenario. The good news is, with regular maintenance, your hearing aids should continue to function efficiently.
Go through this list before you do anything rash. If it’s not one of these ordinary issues, it might be time to pay us a visit to make sure there isn’t a more substantial issue. For instance, 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 occasionally. So staying on top of charging your batteries is important. The first thing you should do if your hearing aid begins to fail or cut in and out is check the battery.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Purchasing a battery tester, especially if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack may not have as much voltage as the first few even if they stay sealed. Another trick: Wait five minutes after you unpack new batteries before you install them. This can help extend the battery life by allowing the zinc to activate.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Your hearing aids will gather debris and dirt regardless of how clean you keep your ears and if you have problems hearing you’re probably more conscientious about earwax. You may find yourself with a dirt issue if sounds seem a bit off or distorted.
The fix: Clean Them 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. Once you’ve taken apart your hearing aids, use a soft, microfiber cloth (like you’d use to clean the screen of a computer or smartphone) to wipe down the components.
Simple hygiene practices will go a long way to keeping your hearing aids clean. Clean and dry your hands before you handle your hearing aids, and take them out while you’re doing things, such as washing your face, styling your hair, or even shaving, that might put them in jeopardy of being spritzed, sprayed, or splashed.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really damage your hearing aid (you don’t need to be underwater, even a sweat can be an issue). Even humidity in the air can be a problem, blocking up the hearing aid’s air vents or causing batteries to drain faster. Problems ranging from distortion to static or even crackling might happen depending on how much moisture is inside. They could even seem to shut down.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Leave the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, take the battery out. Any trapped moisture will be able to evaporate and air will be able to circulate with very little effort on your part.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Even though the latter is convenient, the moisture from a hot shower is precisely what you don’t want. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to think about getting a hearing aid storage box. Most models use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive versions get rid of moisture with electronics.
None of the above are working out? It might be time to speak with us.