Hearing Aid Trouble: What To Do
With a hearing aid in your ear, for the first time you can hear things better. However, after you adjust to your new abilities, problems can start occurring without you knowing why. Before you seek repairs, check out some of the hearing aid issues here and try the appropriate remedies.
Problem #1: Muffled Sound
A surprising issue that could arise after days of wearing the device is that sounds are blocked or muffled. This might be due to your earwax clogging the device. A few strokes of a clean cotton swab may resolve the problem, but if the wax has been allowed to build up, it could have infiltrated the opening of the device. In that case, you might need an expert to clean your hearing aid. Remember to clean your device each evening so that ear wax won't affect your hearing aid.
Problem #2: Distortion
Odd-sounding voices or distortion could be tied to an ear mold issue. If this is what's happening to you, it could be that you just need to be re-fitted so that the device can sit properly in your ear again.
Problem #3: Whistling
If there's a whistling or similar sound coming through your hearing aid opening, it could be the fault of the tubing on the device. If your tubing has become yellow-colored and/or rigid, replacing it could be needed. The audiologist can fix this right away. An even easier solution could also be available. Remove and re-insert the piece to see if the fit had just been wrong.
Problem #4: No Sound
Water affects the internal electric circuits of your device. If you've had it on during a shower, a sweaty workout routine, or in the rain, it's possible that the circuits have failed. If that happens, you'll need to have your hearing aid professionally repaired. Going forward, make efforts to keep your hearing aid as dry as you can; even something as simple as leaving it on a sink counter in the bathroom as you shower can have an affect. Store your device properly when it isn't in use and when it's possible that it could get wet.
However, if the no sound problem isn't cause by the circuits at all, you may simply need to pop in a fresh, new hearing aid battery.
Not all problems with a hearing aid are serious. If you're concerned about your device, set up a post-fitting assessment with your audiologist so that tests can be run and any necessary hearing aid repairs can be done. For more information and help, contact an audiology center near you, like Children & Family Hearing Associates.