Like most people in Santa Barbara with hearing loss, your hearing aid is your connection to the outside world. If you wouldn’t drive your car without a spare tire in the trunk (and either roadside assistance or the knowledge required to change your own tire), the same should be true for your hearing aid.
In order to ensure you don’t miss anything, your Santa Barbara audiologist suggests that every hearing aid user knows how to properly care for and maintain their hearing aid.
Cleaning
Properly cleaning your hearing aid is one of the most important things you can do to keep your device working. These daily tasks include:
- Using a soft dry cloth to get rid of any dirt or grime.
- Using a mild soap solution to clean the earmold (the part of the hearing aid that sits in the ear). Make sure the earmold is completely dry before reconnecting it to the rest of the device.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a wax pick to remove any earwax that has built up on the device.
Battery Check
The batteries used in your hearing aid are not the same ones that sit inside your smoke detector and remote control. These zinc-air batteries can go from full to dead in an instant.
In order to prevent your batteries from dying in the middle of the day and leaving you stranded, your Santa Barbra audiologist recommends performing a battery check every morning. This involves using a battery tester to accurately determine how much life your batteries have left.
In addition, a good habit to get into is always carrying around extra batteries just to be safe.
If you perform these daily tasks, you are setting yourself up for success. But there is always a possibility that something could still go wrong. Below are some troubleshooting tips.
Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Tips
Does your hearing aid sound weak or dead? If so,
- Make sure the device is on
- Check the battery
- Check the openings to make sure there is no wax blocking them
- Check the tubing or wire to make sure everything is properly connected
Does your hearing aid sound distorted? If so,
- Check the tubing for moisture or cracks
- Replace the battery
Does your hearing aid squeal or whistle? If so,
- Check if the volume has been turned up too high
- Check to make sure the hearing aid is correctly placed in your ear
If your hearing aid continues to have problems, it is time to bring it to an expert. Contact your Santa Barbara audiologist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
