We’ve all heard the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but that isn’t always the best advice, especially when it comes to vital devices, such as your hearing aids. Your hearing aids are critical for communication and connection with the world around you. Waiting until they’re “broke” to have a professional look them over could be a huge mistake. That’s why we recommend getting your hearing aids professionally serviced every six months.
Why It Matters
Many of the things that can cause major issues with your hearing aids start small—so small, you might believe at first that you can live with it or not even notice it at first. These small issues can snowball into something more serious, but you can prevent that from happening with some proactivity.
For example, earwax buildup is the biggest cause of hearing aid malfunction. Earwax interferes with the device’s performance, clogs the receiver and microphone and causes the hearing aid to fit uncomfortably. You should be cleaning your hearing aids daily to prevent most earwax buildup, but don’t underestimate how easily earwax can infiltrate the nooks and crannies of your devices that you can’t reach with a cloth and wax pick. For this, you’ll need an audiologist and their specialty hearing aid cleaning tools.
Signs You Need Professional Maintenance
In addition to regular checkups twice a year, these signs could indicate that there’s a deeper issue with your hearing aids that warrants attention:
- Muffled or distorted sound. Since your hearing aids’ primary function is to help you hear, it’s correct to say that if their sound quality is off, then you’re not getting the hearing help you need. Earwax or debris could be clogging the microphone or speaker, or there may be an issue with the internal components, such as the digital processor. Bring it to us so we can diagnose the issue.
- Frequent feedback. Many modern hearing aids come with sophisticated feedback-canceling features, so if feedback is suddenly a bigger issue for you, there’s something going on that needs to be addressed.
- Volume issues. Is the volume suddenly increasing or decreasing for seemingly no reason? Have you tried changing the volume only to have nothing happen? Scenarios like these could mean they need a software check or other internal maintenance, which we can help with.
- Environmental factors. Summer is approaching fast, meaning dry, hot weather. Conditions like heat, humidity, dust and precipitation can all affect your hearing aids, and in times of extreme environmental conditions, it’s good to stay on top of it.
- Battery issues. Whether you have rechargeable hearing aids or use button batteries, it can be frustrating when your hearing aids lose charge faster than you’re accustomed. It can also indicate damage to the battery or its compartment, possibly due to moisture buildup.
Make an Appointment
In all likelihood, you wear your hearing aids every day, and they’re critical to your quality of life. We also know that hearing aids are a major investment. You want to ensure they remain in peak condition for as long as possible, and we’re here to help with that. Call Valley Audiology today to book your hearing aid maintenance appointment if it’s been over six months since your last visit.