How to Improve the Performance of Your Hearing Aids: Try These Three Quick Fixes

Hearing aids are pivotal in maintaining your connection with your friends and loved ones, but when your devices don’t perform as expected, frustration can quickly set in. When the world of sound you were loving is suddenly not sounding the same, it can be stressful and isolating to feel alone in the silence. 

Before you toss your hearing aids away, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve the performance of your hearing devices right at home.  

1. Clean Your Hearing Aids

Regular cleaning is crucial to keep your hearing aids working optimally. Over time, earwax and debris can accumulate, which may block sound pathways and result in diminished audio quality or feedback. 

• How to Clean: Start by wiping the exterior of your hearing aids with a dry, soft cloth. Use a small brush or a specialized cleaning tool to gently remove any wax or dust from the microphone and speaker ports. Avoid using any cleaning fluids, as liquids can damage the internal components. 

• Frequency: Ideally, you should give your hearing aids a gentle clean at the end of each day, before you go to bed and put them in their charging case. This regular maintenance can ensure your devices are ready to deliver clear sound every morning. 

2. Replace Ear Domes or Wax Guards

The ear domes are the parts of your hearing aids that go into your ears, delivering sound; an improper fit or old ear domes can lead to feedback, whistling, or irritation from a poor fit.  

Wax guards protect the delicate inner mechanisms of your hearing aids from earwax and can get filled with earwax over time. 

Replacing these two parts can lead to improved performance and better hearing, as well as a cleaner hearing aid. 

• Ear Domes: Ear domes can wear out or become blocked; replacing them usually requires a simple swap, as they’re designed to be user-friendly. Find the right fit with new ear domes and ensure they fit snug in your ear canal, but not too tight. 

• Wax Guards: Checking and replacing these as per the manufacturer’s guidelines can prevent diminished sound quality or malfunction. If you’re unsure how to replace them, consult the manual or ask us for a quick tutorial. 

3. Perform a Factory Reset

As a last resort, a factory reset can clear up various software-related issues and restore your hearing aids to their original settings. Proceed with caution, as this will erase any custom settings or programs you’ve configured. 

• How to Reset: Most modern hearing aids have a user-friendly app or dedicated methods for performing a reset. Consult your user manual for specific instructions on your model. This process is typically straightforward but should be undertaken only if other troubleshooting steps have failed. 

• Considerations: After a reset, you may need to reconnect your hearing aids to any accompanying devices or apps. Having your maintenance materials and manuals at hand will make this process smoother. 

When to Visit a Professional 

If you’ve tried these quick fixes and your hearing aids are still not performing to your satisfaction, it might be time to schedule an appointment with a professional.