When technology stops working properly, that’s when we tend to notice it the most. With hearing aids that’s especially true: Hearing aids are a critical lifeline to the rest of society for people who wear them not just a piece of technology.
It’s both emotionally and physiologically essential to discover solutions for broken hearing aids as quickly as possible. Troubleshooting can be a frustrating, risky process whether you’ve been using them for a week, a year, or decades. But there are some fairly easy strategies you can try to get your hearing aid working correctly again.
Preventing Trouble Before it Occurs
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of tech, they require regular maintenance. Despite the fact that the casing may appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be extremely sophisticated.
So this means upkeep is essential. There are some easy ways you can make certain that your hearing aid is taken care of while you’re using them.
Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean is a Must
Each day, a certain amount of wax is normally and naturally generated by your ears. And, to some degree, that earwax is helpful for your ears. But it’s not so good for your hearing aids. To help improve the longevity of your device keep your hearing aids clean and clear of wax. In fact, a built-in wax filter comes with most hearing aids that should also be periodically cleaned.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. And despite the best protection technology can build, consistent exposure to moisture can eventually wear down the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.
This Means using your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is not a good idea. Also, if your hearing aids do become wet, dry them with a towel; heat from a hairdryer, for instance, can hurt your hearing aids.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and often expensive) technology, and as such, they require specialized cleaning practices. Even if you’re pretty thorough about your own cleaning habits, there are just some things that can be better achieved by a specialized cleaner.
That’s why it’s suggested that you bring your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
Troubleshooting Issues That Are Already Occurring
Even if your hearing aids are presently working, you will still be required to take protective steps. You’re probably 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 functioning properly:
- Even if your batteries are rechargeable they will periodically need to be changed out.
- Inspect the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. If you find corrosion, you can attempt to carefully clean out, but significant damage will have to be repaired professionally.
- Check your own ears. Sound from your hearing aid could be blocked by earwax buildup.
- Switch between programs or change the settings. Most hearing aids are different in this respect, so your response will depend on the model you have.
- Check your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. If you find any wax buildup or debris, clear them away.
- Adjust the volume. There will either be a volume dial on the hearing aid or a remote you can use for this. Try both if you have both features with your hearing aid.
- Take a good look at your hearing aids for obvious signs of damage, like blemishes or cracks. Such damage could indicate the hearing aid needs repairs.
- Cycle the device power (turn it off and turn it back on). This will fix the problem in certain cases.
It’s likely that you will need to get the device repaired professionally if you want it back to original condition if none of these steps help.
What if Nothing I Try Works?
When your hearing aids aren’t working well anymore and troubleshooting has not taken care of the issue, you will likely have two options: either send the hearing aids in for service or buy a new pair of hearing aids. Which option works best for you will vary depending on your situation, how old your hearing aids are, and other variables.
If your hearing aids aren’t working well right now, take the time to try some troubleshooting. A conversation with your hearing professional to determine a solution is the next step if that doesn’t work. To find a solution make your appointment right away.