If you have hearing aids, you should be capable of hearing, right? When they aren’t working correctly, it can be downright frustrating, it’s a real “You had ONE job” scenario. Luckily, your hearing aids should have no problem doing their job if you take proper care of them.
Before you do anything drastic, consider this list. It might be time to come in and talk with us if you find it isn’t one of these ordinary issues. Your hearing might have changed, for instance, or you may need a hearing aid recalibration.
Potential Pitfall: Low Batteries
While hearing aid batteries have gotten dramatically 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 should do if your hearing aid begins to fail or cut in and out is check the battery.
The fix: Keep ‘em Fresh
Investing in a battery tester, particularly if you like to stock up, is a practical idea. Even if you keep batteries sealed until it’s time to use them, always a good idea, they have a limited shelf life, and so the last batteries in that huge pack you bought 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 can help extend the battery life by allowing the zinc to become active.
Potential Pitfall: Gross Things Like Wax And Grime
Your hearing aids will collect debris and dirt no matter how clean you keep your ears and if you have problems hearing you’re most likely more conscientious about earwax. If you’re able to hear but sounds seem distorted or a little off, dirt might be the cause.
The fix: Clean ‘em 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 hardware.
Simple hygiene practices will really help with keeping your hearing aids clean. Clean and dry your hands before you take care of your hearing aids, and take them out while you’re doing things, such as washing up, styling your hair, or even shaving, that might put them in jeopardy of being spritzed, sprayed, or splattered.
Potential Pitfall: Trapped Moisture
Even a little bit of moisture can really harm your hearing aid (think sweating, not deep-sea diving). 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 may experience issues from sound distortion to static, to crackling. They might even seem to shut down.
The fix: Keep ‘em Dry
Keep the battery door open when you store your hearing aid overnight and any longer than that, remove the battery. It takes almost no effort and ensures that air can circulate, and any trapped moisture can get out.
Store hearing aids in a cool, dry place. The bedroom is a smart spot, skip the bathroom or kitchen. Keeping them in the bathroom might seem convenient but there’s just too much moisture. You will probably want to purchase a hearing aid storage box if you live in a very humid environment. Most versions use a desiccant in the form of a small moisture absorbing packet, but some more expensive models eliminate moisture with electronics.
None of these are working out? It might be time to talk to us.