Hearing Aid 101: Fixing Small Problems
Although hearing aids are a wonderful innovation, allowing you to hear in environments that might otherwise have prevented you from communicating clearly, they can malfunction from time to time. Before you rush to your hearing specialist's office for help, there are some problems that you can repair simply yourself.
Read on for a hearing aid troubleshooting guide.
- Whistling sound when you insert your hearing aid: This issue is usually caused because you've not placed your hearing aid correctly. Remove it and reinsert it; if you're wearing a hat, take it off. This usually fixes the problem, but if the problem doesn't resolve, you might need to ask your doctor to check your ears for accumulated wax.
- The sound is very low or distorted: This problem usually occurs simply because the hearing aid is dirty or has become damp. Use the cleaning kit supplied with the aid to clean it thoroughly, and dry the battery contacts with a cotton bud. Put your hearing aids into a dehumidifier for a few hours too. Persistent distortion often results because the battery is running down. Replace the battery and you should fix the problem.
- The hearing aid doesn't work at all: This problem almost always occurs because the battery is dead, the battery is the wrong size or because the battery contacts inside the hearing aid are corroded. Start by replacing the battery with one from a completely new pack (in case the existing one is from a dud batch). Use a cotton bud to gently clean the battery contacts compartment.
- The battery doesn't last long: The primary reason for short battery life is that the battery is from a dud batch. All you need to do is replace it with one from a new pack. To get the most from each new battery, turn your hearing aid off when you're not using it and leave it somewhere safe with the battery compartment door open and at normal room temperature. This allows moisture to escape so that the battery won't corrode. When you take a new battery from the pack, remove the backing sticker and leave the battery for five minutes or so before inserting it into the hearing aid. This lets the battery become fully active and should help to increase its life.
The above faults are the most common that you may experience with your hearing aids. If the fixes suggested don't sort out the problem, you should return the hearing aid to your provider who may be able to repair it for you.