New hearing aids can improve your life, but if it’s your first time wearing any kind of device, you may need some time and adjustments to get used to it. Don’t be shy about asking your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist lots of questions until you feel comfortable. Here are some of the top issues people discover as they’re getting acquainted to life with new hearing aids.

4 Common Hearing Aid Problems & How to Fix Them

1. Too Much Feedback

Feedback is that high-pitched squealing you hear when a microphone gets too close to a speaker. The same thing happens to hearing aids when the device re-amplifies its own sound. It might sound like a whistle or a squeal. Wait until your hearing aid is comfortably placed in your ear before turning it on. If it persists, talk to your specialist about the fit of your device. Many hearing aids also come with feedback elimination.

2. Ear Wax Buildup

We all have ear wax, but for people with hearing aids, it can become an annoying problem when it builds up on the device and reduces performance. Ask your specialist to show you how to properly clean your device, then do so on a regular schedule. Keep your ears clean by wiping the outside areas with a soft cloth. Avoid putting a cotton swab in your ear because it can damage the ear drum.

3. Dead Batteries

You’re halfway through a movie or a night out with friends and your battery dies. The answer is simple—always pack extras. Hearing aid batteries are small and often covered by your health insurance. Some devices last for up to two weeks on a battery, and others last a few days. Find out how much battery life to expect and make sure you’re ready to replace them.  

4. Sleeping in Comfort

To sleep or not to sleep with your hearing device in? You may get a better night’s sleep if you remove your device, but that means you may not hear alarms or children waking in the night. There are special alarm clocks and smoke detectors for people with hearing impairment. You can also talk to your specialist about hearing aids that are meant for comfort around the clock.

Heartland Better Hearing in Elizabethtown, KY, offers hearing products that will help you enjoy life through better, clearer hearing. From hearing aids to household products, like phones and alarm clocks for people with hearing loss, their team will help you find the right products for you. They also offer free hearing testing. Call (270) 735-9352 to schedule an appointment or send a Facebook message to request more information.