You got hearing aids a few months ago, and they’ve changed your life. Along with millions of other Americans, these sophisticated, custom-fit, mini computers have given you a whole new lease on life. Conversations are easy to follow, and you can even hear in noisy restaurants with a lot of background noise! You’ve improved relationships with loved ones, and you’re happier than you’ve been in years. If your hearing aid stopped working you’d be in a real pickle, so here are a few common hearing aid problems, and how to fix them easily.
Your Hearing Aids Aren’t Making a Sound
If your hearing aids aren’t making a sound, it may be as simple as putting in a new battery. If that’s not it, check to see if the battery is inserted properly, and the battery door is tightly shut. If the door isn’t closed properly, the battery may be in upside down. Flip it over, insert it again, and close the door. Check your hearing devices for any earwax, dirt, or other debris blocking the microphone, and give your device a good cleaning with a soft, dry cloth. Check the volume. Sometimes settings get changed accidentally, and the volume may have been turned down. Take some time to switch between different programs and see if any settings are working. If your hearing aid has been damaged in some way, call us! We’re here to help and will get your device repaired as soon as possible.
Your Hearing Aid Isn’t Loud Enough
If your hearing aid is producing sounds, but it’s just not loud enough, once again check for any wax or other dirt blocking the microphone. After checking the volume, try switching to a different program to see if the problem persists. If you wear a hearing device that has tubing, look carefully for any cracks or other damage, and make sure there isn’t any moisture inside the tubing. If you find a crack, simply replace the tubing or let us do it for you.
If your hearing aid still isn’t loud enough, you may need to consider that your hearing has changed. Have you been using the same hearing aids for several years? What were the results of your last hearing test? If you think your hearing may have changed, visit us at Neighborhood Hearing Aid Center to have your hearing evaluated again.
Sounds Are Distorted
If your hearing aids are producing a lot of sound but the sounds seem distorted or garbled, you may have a problem with the battery contacts, those small metal pieces that touch the battery when the door is closed. Open the battery door, and check to see if the battery contacts are corroded. Does the battery look damaged? Clean the battery compartment and the door thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth, insert a new battery, and try again. Do you have a telecoil in your hearing aid? Check the settings again, and make sure you didn’t accidentally switch to this setting but are on the appropriate setting for your listening environment. Look carefully for any damage to the hearing devices, and don’t hesitate to bring your hearing aids to us for a thorough inspection and cleaning.
There’s a Lot of Feedback
Has your hearing aid started whistling, or producing a lot of feedback? This is usually caused by a problem in fit. Take your devices out and put them in again, making sure they’re fitting snuggly in place. Feedback can also be caused by having the volume turned up too high, so turn it down a notch or two. If the feedback continues, visit us to get an adjustment, and make sure your hearing aids are fitting correctly.
Did you know that if you’re hearing a lot of feedback the problem might not even be in your hearing aid? Visit your family doctor or come in to have your ear canals checked for earwax. Cleaning your ears could very well solve the whistling problem, and leave you hearing clearly.
If you’ve tried all these fixes and nothing’s working, or if you have a problem not listed here, visit us at Neighborhood Hearing Aid Center where we’re always glad to help. We’ll check your hearing aids, suggest repairs, perform a thorough cleaning, and have you back to hearing in no time.