Like with all technology, you will likely encounter issues with your hearing aids from time to time. Depending on the problem, you may be able to correct it yourself or you may need to go to your audiologist for a professional evaluation.
Develop A Hearing Aid Maintenance Routine
Ideally, you’d like to avoid problems with your hearing aid in the first place. While this is not always possible, you can minimize potential issues by developing a regular hearing aid maintenance routine.
During your initial fitting, your audiologist will tell you how to care for your device, but in general, you are going want to follow these steps:
- Clean your device every night before bed as moisture, earwax and ear drainage can all damage a hearing aid. You can use a soft, dry cloth or you can purchase a hearing aid cleaning kit with tools like a soft-bristled brush and vent cleaner.
- Use a drying box to remove excess moisture while you store your hearing aids at night
- Avoid using hairspray, gels or other products while wearing your device
- Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use
- Replace dead batteries immediately
In addition to these home measures, make sure to have regular appointments with your audiologist or hearing aid expert every six months to a year. They can give your device a thorough cleaning and check to see if any adjustments or repairs are needed.
Signs Your Hearing Aids Need to Be Checked Out
In addition to your regular appointments, get your hearing aids checked out if you experience any of the following issues:
- Whistling (known as feedback)
- Volume fluctuations
- Muffled or distorted hearing
- Pain or discomfort in your ear
- Additional hearing loss
These could be signs that your hearing aids need to be adjusted or reprogrammed. It could also indicate that there is a problem with a specific part of your hearing aid, like the microphone or earmold, and that it needs to be repaired.
Additionally, hearing loss can often change over time, even with the use of hearing aids. If you find yourself frequently needing to turn up the volume on your device or are struggling to follow conversations when out to dinner at The Twisted Fork, you may need to upgrade to a hearing aid that better matches your current needs.
If you would like additional information or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call LeMay Hearing & Balance today.