We tend to notice technology the most when it stops working. That’s especially true with hearing aids: Hearing aids are a critical lifeline to the rest of the world for people who wear them not just a piece of technology.
It’s both emotionally and physiologically important to discover solutions for broken hearing aids as quickly as possible. Troubleshooting can be a difficult, risky process whether you’ve been using them for a week, a year, or decades. But there are some reasonably easy measures you can try to get your hearing aid working properly again.
Before Trouble Occurs Take Protective Measures
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of tech, they need routine upkeep. Although the casing might appear simple and robust, the electronics inside can be incredibly sophisticated.
So this means maintenance is essential. While you’re using your hearing aids, there are some things you can do that will make taking care of them simpler.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Each day, a certain amount of wax is normally and naturally created by your ears. And, the ear wax is, to a certain degree helpful for your ears. But it’s not so great for your hearing aids. Keeping your hearing aids clear and clean of wax can help the longevity of the devices. In fact, most hearing aids will have a built-in wax filter that should also be periodically cleaned.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. The performance of your hearing aids can be compromised, in spite of the best protection technology available, if it is continuously exposed to moisture.
This Means wearing your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Also, if your hearing aids do become wet, towel-dry them; heat from a hairdryer, for example, can damage your hearing aids.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and commonly expensive) technology, and as such, they require specialized cleaning practices. A specialized cleaner can better achieve certain things that you can’t, even if you’re pretty rigorous about your cleaning habits.
That’s why it’s suggested that you bring your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
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 problems with your hearing aids not working anymore.
Try one of the following steps if your hearing aids aren’t working properly:
- Check for loose wiring or corrosion in the battery compartment. If you discover corrosion, you can try carefully cleaning out, but considerable damage will have to be fixed professionally.
- Switch between programs or change the settings. Many hearing aids are different in this respect, so your plan of action will depend on the model you’re using.
- Inspect your hearing aid for debris or wax accumulate. If you discover any wax buildup or debris, clean them away.
- Change out your power source or battery, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
- Check your own ears. It’s possible that earwax accumulation in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
- Turn your hearing aid of then back on. This will correct the problem in some cases.
- Adjust the volume. This can be done with a remote or manually with the dial on the hearing aid. Try to do both if you have both features with your hearing aid.
- Look over your hearing aids for blemishes, cracks or other visible signs of damage. Your hearing aid may need to be fixed if you find any of this type of damage.
If none of these measures address your hearing aid issues, you will probably have to have the device fixed professionally in order to bring it back to peak functional condition.
What if Nothing I Try Works?
You will likely have two choices if you’ve tried to troubleshoot your hearing aid and it still won’t work: either send the hearing aids in for service or purchase a new pair of hearing aids. Which option works best for you will depend on your situation, the age of your hearing aids, and other variables.
Take the time to troubleshoot your hearing aids if they aren’t working correctly. A conversation with a hearing professional to determine a solution is the next thing you should do if that doesn’t work. Schedule an appointment to find a solution today.