If your hearing aids are not working correctly or fitting properly, it can seriously impede your ability to hear and communicate. However, you may be able to solve the problem yourself. Here are some common hearing aid issues and ways to solve them.
How to Solve Distorted Sound
Distorted sound can occur for many reasons. Here are some possible ways to fix it:
- Clean off earwax. The most common reason a hearing aid’s sound is weak is that it is clogged with earwax or other debris. Use an earwax tool, such as an earwax pick or loop, to remove earwax from the microphone and speaker, and change the wax guard if your hearing aid has one.
- Check the program. You may have been switched to a specialized program or the T-coil program, which works great in a specific scenario but not for everyday listening.
- Adjust the settings. If sounds are tinny or scratchy, try reducing the higher frequencies. If the background noise is too loud, turn up the background noise suppression. Make sure your volume isn’t too low or too high.
How to Solve No Sound
The solutions listed above also apply if your hearing aid isn’t producing any sound: check for earwax, adjust the program and settings and check the volume. But also:
- Check the battery. If you have a rechargeable battery, charge it. If you’ve plugged it in and it doesn’t charge, check that it’s plugged in. If you have disposable batteries, replace them. Use the correct battery type and make sure it’s inserted properly, with the positive side matching the hearing aid. Additionally, check if the battery compartment has any dust or debris in it, or if the prongs have corroded due to moisture damage or age.
How to Solve Feedback Issues
Feedback occurs when sound projected through the hearing aid speaker escapes the ear canal and “feeds back” through the microphone. This double-amplification creates whistling or buzzing sounds that can be very uncomfortable. Many modern hearing aids have sophisticated feedback suppression capabilities, but if you’re still experiencing frequent feedback, try these fixes:
- Turn the volume down.
- Check for earwax blockage. If earwax buildup prevents sound from traveling further into the ear canal, it will bounce back out.
- Adjust the earmold or dome. You want the hearing aid to seal your ear. If there are leaks, sound can escape.
When to See the Audiologist
Some issues are beyond home repair. If your hearing aid is damaged or requires maintenance from the manufacturer, it’s time to go to the clinic and schedule a maintenance appointment. Call our office today, and we’ll be happy to help you out!