Hearing aids consist of three main parts: a microphone, which picks up sounds in your environment; an amplifier, which increases the power of the sound signal to a level your ear can detect; and a receiver, which delivers the amplified sound to your ears. Unfortunately, sometimes your hearing aids don’t deliver sound that is loud enough for you to hear clearly. If this is happening to you, there are a few ways you can troubleshoot the problem.
Troubleshooting Low Volume in a Hearing Aid
Problems relating to hearing aid management are most often deemed to have the greatest impact on hearing aid success and be the most preventable/solvable. When you identify a problem with your devices, you must correct it as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary downtime. Try these tips:
Turn Up the Volume
You should never underestimate simple solutions. Even if you don’t remember turning down the volume on your hearing aids, it’s possible that it happened accidentally. If your hearing aids are sounding quiet, first turn up the volume using the manual controls or your remote.
Visually Inspect Your Hearing Aids
You may be able to actually see the problem with your hearing aids. If there’s a blockage in either the microphone or the receiver, it can affect sound quality and volume. Look for earwax and other debris, and remove any that you see with your wax pick, wire loop or multitool.
For wearers of behind-the-ear (BTE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid, you must also examine the tubing and wire for crack or moisture buildup, as this can also affect volume. If you notice moisture, put your devices in a dehumidifier. If you notice cracks, an audiologist can repair them.
Try a Different Program
Hearing aids come with different programs that are used for different listening situations. For example, you may use a different program when you’re at a book club at Charleston County Public Library than you do when you’re on a date at Charleston Coffee Exchange. An audiologist can even create a new hearing aid program for you to use if your current ones aren’t cutting it.
Get a Hearing Test
Your hearing, like most things, changes over time. If your hearing aids worked for you once but don’t anymore, it could be that your hearing loss has progressed. This is why it’s important to get comprehensive hearing tests every year or two. If it’s been a while since your last test, schedule another one today.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.