Just as you need to change the oil in your car or install a software update on your phone from time to time, your hearing aids also need a tune-up every once in a while. Regular maintenance and care will keep your hearing aids in good working condition for as long as possible, granting you the clear hearing you need. Here are some common signs that it’s time for a tune-up.
Muffled or Distorted Sound
If sounds simply don’t sound normal, that’s something that should be addressed. Muffled or distorted sound can be caused by earwax buildup, worn-out electrical components, a weakened battery, an overworked digital processor and many others.
You can try to solve this problem at home by doing a deep clean to remove earwax buildup and changing the battery. If that doesn’t work, bring it in to your audiologist. They can do a more thorough cleaning with professional tools, check that the electrical components are working properly and perform other basic troubleshooting.
Difficulty Hearing Lower Volumes
Have you noticed that you’re struggling to hear quiet sounds, like whispering or soft music, even with your hearing aids in? That’s a good sign that your hearing aids need adjustment. This could be due to a worn-out speaker, or it could be a result of the natural progression of your hearing loss. Your audiologist can check in on the health of your speaker and microphone and adjust your settings to match your current hearing needs.
Feedback
Modern hearing aids have sophisticated digital feedback suppression that should make feedback woes a thing of the past. If you’ve been experiencing an uptick in feedback, it may mean that your hearing aid isn’t inserted or fitting properly, or it could indicate that your digital processor is wearing out.
If you’ve tried taking your hearing aid out and putting it back in again and you’re still experiencing feedback, bring it to your audiologist. They can diagnose the digital processor and evaluate if your hearing aids still fit you. Ear canals can slowly change shape over time due to aging, jaw movement and other factors, so perhaps the fit needs to be adjusted to match these subtle changes.
Short Battery Life
Whether you use rechargeable hearing aids or disposable batteries, the battery dying in the middle of a conversation or activity is always a nuisance. This could be due to old batteries or a faulty charge cable, or some other damage to the battery compartment, such as corrosion due to moisture exposure. Take your hearing aids to your audiologist to get them looked at.
Physical Damage
Despite your best care, accidents happen. Hearing aids are small and light; they can get stepped on, have heavy objects placed on them or be dropped. And that’s not counting the daily wear and tear that comes with being worn all day, exposed to the elements. If you’ve noticed any dings or dents in the body of your hearing aid or have had some kind of accident lately, have your audiologist assess the damage.
It’s Been Over a Year
Even if you think your hearing aids are in fine condition, we still recommend bringing them in for a regular tune-up every six to twelve months. As discussed above, hearing loss will continue to progress, your ear canals can change shape and your delicate devices will naturally wear out over time due to the sustained use. If you know it’s been a long time since your last tune-up, be proactive and make an appointment.
If you need to book a tune-up and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids, call Premier Medical Group today to get on the calendar.