Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid - Part 2
by Mark Ross, Ph.D.
Protection and Storage
Hearing Aid Batteries
Earmolds and Tubing (for behind the ear
aids)
In-The-Ear Hearing Aids (of all types)
Hearing Aid Problems
Insuring Your Hearing Aid
One Final Thought
Keep earmolds clean. If the sound bore seems clogged with wax, clean
it gently with a pin, wire-loop, or toothpick. At regular intervals,
remove the earmold from hearing aid and wash it with gentle soap and
water. Be sure the mold is dry before reconnecting to the hearing aid,
as even a bit of liquid can interfere with the sound transmission. A
forced-air earmold cleaner (squeezable rubber) is useful for cleaning
both earmold and tubing. This can be obtained from a hearing aid
dispenser. Also obtainable from hearing aid dispensers are non-alcoholic
"audio-wipes" with which the surface of the earmold can be
cleaned frequently (every day is not too much!).
The clear plastic tubing connecting the earmold with behind-the-ear
types of hearing aids will need to be replaced periodically. Make
regular checks to be sure it is not cracked, dried out, or bent. Also,
watch out for possible droplets of moisture caused by humidity or
perspiration. These should be removed by gently blowing through the tube
until it is dry, or using the forced-air earmold cleaner mentioned
above. If this is a frequent problem for you, ask your hearing aid
dispenser or audiologist about the new moisture-resistant tubing.
Dried cerumen (earwax) on the hearing aid surface can irritate the
ear canal as well as cause infections. It is a good idea to wipe if off
with a dry cloth, tissue, or "audio-wipes" whenever you remove
it from your ear or before you reinsert it in the morning. Do not use
any type of liquid solution to clean an in-the-ear hearing aid.
Cerumen infiltrating into the hearing aid sound bore is one of the
most frequent reasons for hearing aid malfunction. What happens is that
the earwax gets lodged in the sound bore and either blocks the sound or
interferes with the function of the hearing aid receiver (the hearing
aid "loudspeaker"). Many hearing aids come with a "wax
loop" or other means to keep wax out of the hearing aid. If a
hearing aid does not include this feature, then a replaceable,
acoustically transparent band-aid (ad-hear) will protect the sound bore
from wax. These can be obtained from your hearing aid dispenser. Or if
none of the above is available, then you can use a wire loop to remove
the wax (but be careful not to insert the wire loop very far into the
sound bore).
If the Aid Does Not Work At All
Make sure the aid is turned on (don't laugh; this happens!). Make
sure that that the T-switch is correctly positioned (not in the
"T" position). Check if the battery is inserted correctly (+
and - in the right place). If you have to force the battery, you
probably have it wrong. Check to see that the battery is not dead. If in
doubt, try a new one (where you have to remove the sticky paper flap off
the battery surface). A dead battery is the most common reason for
"dead aids". Check battery contacts to be sure they are not
corroded. Check tubing to be sure it is not clogged with moisture (shown
by water or condensation in the tube). Check earmold to be sure that
sound bore is not clogged with wax.
If Sound is Weaker Than Usual
Check battery. Replace if necessary.
Check tubing for cracks, fraying, moisture, etc. Replace if
necessary.
Check that the earmold is not clogged with wax.
Reposition the earmold for a tighter fit; it may have been whistling
(feedback) at a pitch you cannot hear.
If Aid Goes On/Off or Has Scratchy Sound
Flick on/off switch back and forth, in case dust or lint has
collected in the controls.
Check battery contacts.
Think where you have been. If in a very humid environment or have
experienced excessive perspiration from vigorous activities, moisture
may clog the aid and distort sounds. Use a hearing aid dehumidifier
overnight and try again (see discussion above under
"Moisture").
Check the tubing from earmold to the hearing aid and replace it if
bent, cracked, frayed.
If the Aid Whistles ("Feedback")
Probably an earmold problem. Remove the aid, put a finger over the
earmold hole. If the whistling stops, the earmold was not properly
inserted in the ear, or is not a good fit. Try it again in the ear; if
the whistle continues, consult your hearing aid dispenser.
Sometimes feedback may occur when you have a blockage of wax in the
ear canal, a stiff eardrum (from a cold, for example) or any condition
that causes sound to be reflected from the ear canal. In these cases,
the earmold may be fine, and the feedback will disappear when the
condition is corrected.
Check volume control; it may have been turned too high.
When purchasing a new aid, you may wish to consider insuring it
against damages from such as fire or water, accidental breakage or
automobile accidents, theft or other disappearance. A policy may be
obtained within 90 days of the purchase of an aid. For information about
such insurance policies, ask your hearing aid dispenser. We hope the
above tips will help you add years to the life of your hearing aids.
Remember, if you have consistent problems, you may need a new hearing
aid with a different power range, or new earmold. Hearing levels and
even the shape of ear canals DO change, particularly as we move into the
later years of life.
For people who need them, hearing aids can markedly improve the
quality of life. However, a hearing aid is often not enough. Consider
the use of other types of hearing assistive technologies (such as TV
listening, telephone, and signaling and warning devices). Check these
out with SHHH members and with your hearing aid dispenser.
Here's Part One
