What are the Common Problems Hearing Aid Users Face?

If you have hearing aids, you might have run into a couple of problems since purchasing them. Hearing aids are technical devices, and that means that there is always a risk that something is going to go wrong. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the common problems that hearing aid users face, so read on if you would like to learn some useful troubleshooting techniques. 

Volume too low

One of the most common hearing aid problems is that the wearer has said the volume is too low. Now, there could be a few reasons for this. First, you should always check that the volume dial is turned up because it is always possible that you accidentally turned it down while you were asleep or something. 

If you know for sure that the volume is turned up, then you might want to consider booking an appointment with your audiologist. This is because your hearing may have declined further since you got the hearing aids, which is why the volume now sounds too low. The audiologist will carry out a hearing test, and let you know what the issue is.

The hearing aids may just have a fault in them, which means they will need a repair. But make sure it’s not the other two options we just mentioned before you send them off for one.

Hearing whistling

If your hearing aids are whistling in your ears, then try taking them off and putting them back on again. It might simply be the case that they are not interested properly. If this doesn’t work, then try turning down the volume. If you are certain that they are inserted correctly and then you turn the volume down which eliminates the whistling, there might be too much sound leaking through the vent. If this is the case, then the fit may need to be adjusted by your audiologist, so you are going to need to book an appointment with them.

Sound is distorted

The first reason that the sound might be distorted is if the battery is corroded. If it is, then you need to replace the battery which should fix the issue. If this isn’t the case, then you may want to consider whether the hearing aids could be damaged. Have you done anything recently that is different from normal? If so, this could have damaged them, and if not, then it’s likely been caused by something else. It might be the case that you can’t figure out what the problem is, and that is when you should take it to your audiologist to get checked out.

Keep in mind that you may have simply switched your hearing aid to a different setting by accident, so do be sure to check that this hasn’t happened before your appointment. 

Adjusting to hearing again

If it’s your first-time wearing hearing aids, you’ll have to get used to hearing all the sounds you have been missing. From the hum of your refrigerator to the birds chirping, you may feel immersed in sound when you begin wearing hearing aids.

Luckily, your audiologist will help you adjust to your hearing aids in phases. To start, they will have you wear your new devices for set increments of time, like an hour or two to begin and then a break. As you become accustomed to hearing again, they will increase the amount of time you wear them until you can leave them in all day without problems. 

They will also likely schedule a follow-up appointment with you two weeks to one month after your hearing aid fitting, to ensure you are getting the most comfortable experience out of wearing your devices. This allows them to talk to you about any potential issues you’ve had hearing and make any minor adjustments to provide you with the most natural listening experience. 

To help with your follow-up appointment, consider keeping a small journal of your hearing aid experiences. Whether you’re noticing background noise too frequently or simply fear you don’t understand their full capabilities, your audiologist will be able to make minute changes to improve your experience as well as walk you through the proper maintenance and cleaning routine. 

If you want to learn more, get in touch with Audiology Associates by calling us today at 573-332-7000 today. A friendly member of our team will be happy to talk with you about any concerns or questions you may have about hearing technology.