If you’ve got hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working properly, it can be extremely frustrating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” situation. Luckily, your hearing aids should have no problem doing their job if you properly maintain them.
Before you do anything extreme, go through this list. It might be time to come in and see us if you find it’s not one of these ordinary problems. For example, your hearing aids might need recalibration, or your hearing could have changed.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten considerably smaller and lifespans are improving, the batteries still have to be replaced occasionally or recharged. That means that it’s important to keep up with your hearing aids’ batteries. The first thing you need to do if your hearing aid starts 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 smart idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until it’s time to use them, always a good plan, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that giant pack you purchased months ago most likely won’t last as long as the first few did. Another trick: Wait five minutes after you open new batteries before you put them in your hearing aids. This gives the zinc time to become active, and can potentially extend the life of the batteries.
Potential Pitfall: Grease, Grime, And Other Gross Stuff
No matter how clean you keep your ears, and if you have a tough time hearing, you’re much more likely than the average person to stay on top of earwax, your hearing aids are going to collect debris and dirt. You may find yourself with a dirt issue if sounds seem a little off or distorted.
The fix: Clean Them Out—And Keep Them Clean!
There are lots of products on the market specifically for cleaning hearing aids, but you can DIY it with things you already have around the house. Once you’ve disassembled your hearing aids, use a soft, microfiber cloth (like you’d use to clean glasses or smartphone) to wipe down the components.
You can help stop your hearing aids from accumulating excess grime by practicing basic hygiene practices. Whenever you do something that involves liquid or moisture, like washing your face or styling your hair, take your hearing aids out and make sure your hands aren’t wet when handling them.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Moisture can wreak havoc on hearing aids, and it doesn’t take much to do so (think sweating, not snorkeling). The vent in the hearing aid and the battery can even be impacted by humidity in the air. Problems ranging from distortion to static or even crackling may happen depending on how much moisture is inside. They might even appear to quit altogether.
The fix: Keep Them Dry
Make sure that when you store your hearing aids, you open the battery door; and if you’re storing them for longer than overnight, take out the batteries completely. It takes almost no effort and guarantees that air can circulate, and any captured moisture can get out.
A cool, dry place is the best spot to store your hearing aids. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Storing them in the bathroom may seem convenient but moisture is just too much. If you live in a humid climate, you might want to think about investing in a hearing aid storage box. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more costly versions remove moisture with electronics.
If you’ve tried all of these and none of them are helping then it may be time for you to give us a call.