Your hearing aids should improve your hearing right? When your hearing aid fails at its one job, it can be really frustrating. The good news is, with regular upkeep, your hearing aids should be up to the job.
Before you do anything drastic, consider this list. If it’s not one of these ordinary issues, it may be time to pay us a visit to make sure there isn’t a larger issue. Your hearing might have changed, for example, or you might need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten considerably smaller and lifespans are improving, the batteries still have to be occasionally replaced or recharged. That means that it’s important 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
Purchasing a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Batteries have a shelf life so the last batteries in the pack might not have as much voltage as the first few even if you keep them sealed. Another trick: When you unpack new batteries, wait 5 minutes before installing them. This gives the zinc time to activate, and can potentially help the batteries last longer.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
Your hearing aids will accumulate dirt and debris no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have trouble hearing you’re probably more conscientious about earwax. You may find yourself with a dirt issue if sounds seem a little off or distorted.
The fix: Clean ‘em Out—And Keep Them Clean!
You can get a kit for keeping your hearing aids clean or you can use things you already have around the house to clean them. You can use a microfiber cloth, like the kind you use to clean your cellphone or glasses, to wipe your hearing aid down after disassembling it.
Simple hygiene habits will really help with keeping your hearing aids clean. Whenever you do something that involves liquid or moisture, like cleaning your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make certain your hands aren’t wet when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really damage your hearing aid (you won’t need to be underwater, even sweating can be a problem). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be effected by humidity in the air. Depending on how much moisture’s gotten in, you could experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Be certain that when you store your hearing aids, you open the battery door; and if you’re taking them out for longer than 24 hours, remove the batteries completely. Any captured 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. Don’t store them in the kitchen or bathroom. Keeping them in the bathroom might seem convenient but moisture is just too much. If you live in a humid climate, you might want to consider investing in a hearing aid storage box. Most models use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly models eliminate moisture with electronics.
None of these are working? It may be time to consult us.