Hearing aids are just like any other electronic device, and are prone to daily wear and tear. This can sometimes lead to malfunctions and problems that can stop your hearing aids from functioning optimally. Luckily, you can take some steps to ensure that you deal with any difficulties that your hearing aids may give you.
The first basic step to ensure that your hearing aids function properly is to ensure that you keep them squeaky clean. You can do this by meticulously cleaning them out after use each night. Remove any trapped dirt, debris, or ear wax from the hearing aids and put them in a dehumidifier to ensure that any trapped moisture is eliminated. After that, store them in an airtight container with the battery doors open before going to sleep each night.
Even though some hearing aids are water resistant, it is a good idea to make sure that you keep your hearing aids nice and dry at all times. This is because the inner circuitry of your hearing aids is very delicate and can easily become damaged due to direct contact with moisture. If you accidentally get water into your hearing aids, remove them from your ears immediately and dry them using a clean towel as soon as possible.
There are times when some hearing aid problems may simply be beyond your area of expertise, which is why it may be more prudent to let the experts handle your device. If your hearing aids are malfunctioning despite your trying out all your home remedies to rectify them, take them to your audiologist for professional repair. Even if your hearing aids are functioning properly, it may still be a good idea to get a thorough clean up session done on them by specialists at your audiologist’s office. This type of deep cleaning for your hearing aids is recommended twice or thrice a year, depending on the type of hearing aid model you have.
For minor problems caused by your hearing aids, you can take simple steps to resolve them by yourself. If something seems to be going wrong with your hearing aids, simple turn them off and then switch them back on after a short while. Clean out your hearing aids using the tool kit provided to you by your audiologist. Try replacing your batteries if you feel like the batteries may be the problem. Sometimes, what appears to be a hearing aid problem may actually be an ear problem; if you have trouble hearing, you may want to have your ears checked by a doctor to see if there is any excessive earwax blocking your ear canal.
If you find that you are unable to adjust the hearing aid settings to your liking, take them back to be adjusted professionally by your audiologist. Sometimes, a simple volume adjustment may help you hear a lot better.
In some cases, your hearing aids may simply not work even after professional intervention. In this case you may want to opt for a new pair of hearing aids or ask to have your hearing aids repaired by the manufacturer. This may be covered in your hearing aid warranty, so check with your audiologist. No matter what, do not neglect any hearing aid malfunctions since damaged hearing aids may worsen your hearing.