If you’re wearing a hearing aid and you seem to be having problems with the device, it may finally be time to diagnose what the problem is. That said, here are some of the most common problems with hearing aids that you should know about and tips on how to fix them.
Moisture
Moisture is a common issue with hearing aids. It can cause distortion, deterioration of metal contacts and sensitive electronics, block air vents and tubing, interfere with battery efficiency, and more. Often, moisture can be spotted by looking for droplets of water in the earmold tubing. If that’s the case, place the earpiece in a dry place immediately, with the battery door open and the battery removed.
Dirty Tubing
Hearing aids are constantly producing earwax, sweat and oils that can build up in the tubing that connects the hearing aid to the earmold inside your ear. This can lead to poor sound quality and make the device not work properly. Clean the tubing of your hearing aid on a regular basis, using an air puffer or thin wire to remove any wax and debris. This will help prevent a lot of problems from occurring with your hearing aids.
Unwanted Noise
Unwanted noise is a common problem for hearing aid users. It can come from a wide range of sources including traffic noise, music, a marching band, or reverberation. A hearing aid’s built-in digital noise reduction circuitry can help tame these sounds. However, it remains impossible to eliminate all background noise altogether.
Fortunately, many modern hearing aids contain speech enhancement technology that identifies and amplifies speech signals with the best possible audio quality in noisy environments. By analyzing the physical characteristics of sound, such as frequency, length, and dynamic, this feature makes it easier to distinguish speech from background noise.
Faulty Battery
Batteries typically last from three to seven days, so it’s not uncommon for them to die sooner than expected. There are some things you can do to increase their life span. One of the most important tips is to keep the batteries sealed until it is time to replace them. This helps preserve their power and makes them last longer.
Ear Infection
When you first get hearing aids, the amplification of your own voice can sound tiny, harsh, or distorted. But as you adjust to them and your hearing healthcare professional teaches you how, your ears should gradually acclimate and the sounds should improve. If your hearing aids still sound muffled after you’ve changed your batteries, the next likely reason is earwax buildup in the microphone (and not the speaker). If that’s the case, remove visible earwax with your cleaning tool and change your wax filters if they need replacing. Then if the problem persists after you’ve cleaned your hearing aid and your ears, it could be an ear infection. Sometimes, this is a standard ear infection, but other times it’s an inner ear infection that needs an assessment by your hearing health care provider.