Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are a blessing for the hearing impaired, however they do require some maintenance to ensure they are providing maximum benefit. If your hearing aid does not seem to be working properly there are troubleshooting steps you can try before calling your audiologist or hearing professional.
No Sound
If there is no sound and you have recently changed the battery, check to ensure it was properly installed. A common issue is inadvertently putting the battery in backwards. Also, if you have been out in cold weather, give your hearing device time to reach room temperature. If the earmold or tubing is completely blocked with earwax, or if the tubing has come loose, there will be no sound. If you cannot remedy with cleaning or adjusting on your own, call your hearing professional's office and arrange to drop your hearing aid off for a clean and adjust by their technicians.
Sound Is Fading
If sound is beginning to fade, the first thing to check is whether the battery needs to be replaced. It is a good idea to have a regular schedule for replacing the battery; for example, every 10 days, to ensure your hearing aid is always operating at peak performance.
Check the tubing to be sure there is no wax buildup. Moisture can also interfere with the quality of sound. Cleaning your hearing aid when it is removed each night and storing it in a moisture-removing hearing aid saver, is the best way to guard against malfunction. Also, ensure to remove the battery overnight when the hearing device is not in use to extend the life of the battery.
Static Interference
If there is buzzing or any other interference check the ear mold and tubing of your hearing aid to ensure there is no wax buildup. About once a week, use an ear mold air blower when cleaning to ensure the tube is clear of any debris, such as ear wax, dust or perspiration. Also examine the tube to ensure it is not damaged. If the tube is hardening, cracking or changing color, that might be an indication that it needs to be replaced.
You might also experience some static, buzzing, or even ear pain, if your hearing aid is not inserted into the ear properly. Sometimes even a properly installed hearing aid can become disengaged or loosen as you go about daily activity
Another potential reason for decreased quality of sound could be that your hearing level has changed. If you have taken all the troubleshooting steps outlined above and you still are not hearing clearly, the wise course would be to schedule an appointment with your audiologist to have a hearing check up. Your audiologist can test your hearing aid for proper functioning, as well.
If the hearing aid is the issue, it will either be fixed on site, if feasible, or sent to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.
If a change in your hearing is the problem, your audiologist will either adjust the hearing aid to accommodate the change, if possible, or recommend some other course of action appropriate for your particular hearing issue.
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