Common Problems Associated with Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are wonderful tools that help us have a superior hearing experience despite having hearing loss. However, hearing aids are delicate electronic devices that require regular care and maintenance in order to function optimally. There are some common problems that occur with hearing aids, which also have simple remedies.
Imagine you are outside, and suddenly your hearing aids stop working. You may not be able to hear using them at all or you may only be getting a faint sound using them. The most common reason for this is a weak or dead battery. You can try changing your hearing aid batteries to see if this rectifies the problem. Other reasons may be that the batteries have not been inserted properly. Try removing the hearing aid batteries and inserting them once more, making sure to line up the (+) and the (-) signs properly.
Other serious reasons for a dead hearing aid are malfunctions that may occur due to trapped dirt, debris, or water. You can try to remedy this problem by thoroughly cleaning out your hearing aids using the tool kit provided with them, and by placing them in the dehumidifier to get rid of any trapped moisture. If all of these solutions do not help, it may be time to take your hearing aid to the audiologist so that they can check to see if it needs to be repaired professionally or replaced.
Another common problem with hearing aids is that of feedback. This can occur in the form of whistles or shrill sounds coming from the hearing aids. The most common reason for this is an improperly fitted hearing aid, which enables air to pass in and enter the microphone, which can cause feedback. To fix this problem, try pushing the earmold portion of the hearing aid further into the ear. If this does not solve the problem, take your hearing aids back to the audiologist to see if you need to have your earmold replaced or readjusted.
Sometimes, there may be cracks in the tubing or tone hooks of the hearing aids that may be causing the feedback. In these cases, you will need to take your hearing aids to the audiologist to have the tubing or the tone hook replaced. In other times, the reason for feedback may be much simpler and easier to handle, such as too much volume, which you can easily turn down. Even too much earwax may cause feedback, which you can remedy by having your ears cleaned by a medical professional.
A problem often faced by hearing aid users is that they may get interruptions when it comes to sound input from hearing aids. This can happen if the tubing within the hearing aid has somehow collapsed. This sort of problem is often seen in hearing aids that are worn behind-the-ear. If you have trouble hearing clearly using your hearing aids, remove the hearing aids and check that the tubing has no obstruction or damage to it. If you find any form of damage that cannot be manually corrected by you, replace the tubing by taking your hearing aids to your audiologist. No matter what the problem, remember that your audiologist is always around to handle any issues that may arise with your hearing aids.