{"id":1954,"date":"2024-05-13T12:55:46","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T16:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/?p=1954"},"modified":"2024-05-13T12:56:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T16:56:30","slug":"common-hearing-aid-malfunctions-and-how-to-address-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/common-hearing-aid-malfunctions-and-how-to-address-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Hearing Aid Malfunctions and How To Address Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hearing aids are incredible devices that create clarity and more accessible communication for those with hearing loss. However, like any technology, they are not immune to occasional malfunctions. Understanding these common issues and knowing how to address them can ensure that your hearing aids continue to improve your quality of life. Let\u2019s explore some benefits of wearing hearing aids, a few of the most frequent malfunctions and some practical solutions to overcome them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Hearing Aid Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1236\" height=\"849\" src=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Audiologist-examining-hearing-aid.jpg\" alt=\"Audiologist examining hearing aid.\" class=\"wp-image-1956\" style=\"width:479px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Audiologist-examining-hearing-aid.jpg 1236w, https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Audiologist-examining-hearing-aid-768x528.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1236px) 100vw, 1236px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Approximately <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nidcd.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/quick-statistics-hearing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids<\/a>. By offering communication clarity, hearing aids contribute to improved relationships, bolster your independence and help reduce the adverse emotional impact of living with untreated hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Common Hearing Aid Malfunctions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Two of the most common hearing aid malfunctions include muffled or inconsistent noise and the presence of a whistling sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Muffled or Inconsistent Noise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The sound will likely feel unusual or different when you first get your hearing aids. For instance, many new wearers report that their own voices sound odd or wrong. While in many cases, this sound distortion can be attributed to the acclimation period, it may also be a sign of hearing aid malfunction. Two common causes of sound distortion include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Programming<\/strong>. The hearing loss type and experience are different for each patient. Because no two patients are the same, each set of hearing aids requires different programming. When the programming is not quite right, sound distortion can occur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Earwax and debris<\/strong>. Sound distortion may occur if your device&#8217;s microphone or speaker becomes obstructed by debris.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice that dinner conversations at Offshore Restaurant sound choppy or too quiet, start by <a href=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/hearing-aids\/hearing-aid-accessories\/\">cleaning your device<\/a>. If the sound disruption continues, consult your hearing aid specialist to explore potential adjustments or reprogramming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Whistling Sound (Feedback)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feedback in your hearing aids occurs for many reasons, the two most common being poor fit or placement and earwax buildup:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Poor fit or placement<\/strong>. When your hearing aid isn&#8217;t snugly positioned or properly fitted, it can result in a broken seal between the device and your ear. This broken seal causes sound leakage, leading to feedback or a whistling noise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Earwax buildup<\/strong>. When excessive earwax accumulates on your devices, the wax can coat the microphone or speaker, interfering with sound transmission and causing feedback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional sources of feedback may include overly high-volume settings, damaged tubing or displaced microphones. If you encounter feedback, begin by adjusting the placement of your devices and cleaning any visible earwax. If feedback persists despite cleaning and repositioning, reach out to your hearing aid specialist to check for any <a href=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/hearing-aids\/hearing-aid-repair-service\/\">malfunctioning components or digital issues<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By familiarizing yourself with these common malfunctions, you&#8217;re taking proactive steps toward fully embracing the benefits of your new hearing aids. To learn more about caring for your devices, contact Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology today for a consultation with one of our specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><ul class=\"related-posts\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/understanding-noise-induced-hearing-loss-and-the-benefits-of-custom-earplugs\/\" class=\"related-post\">Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and the Benefits of Custom Earplugs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/what-to-know-about-hearing-aids-and-seasonal-changes\/\" class=\"related-post\">What to Know About Hearing Aids and Seasonal Changes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/how-to-manage-tinnitus-at-night\/\" class=\"related-post\">How to Manage Tinnitus at Night<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hearing aids are incredible devices that create clarity and more accessible communication for those with hearing loss. However, like any technology, they are not immune to occasional malfunctions. Understanding these common issues and knowing how to address them can ensure that your hearing aids continue to improve your quality of life. Let\u2019s explore some benefits&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1956,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hearing-aids","category-hearing-loss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1954"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1958,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions\/1958"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schwartzberghearing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}