According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 28-million Americans need hearing aids in their daily life. After all, they’re a vital resource for those experiencing any kind of hearing loss and can often minimize the impact it has on their life as a whole. However, they are useful when functioning correctly, which means you must know how to respond when issues occur. For example, a common issue that many individuals face when wearing hearing aids occur when their hearing aids pick up static or distorted noise.

What Causes Static and Distortion Issues in Hearing Aids?

There are many reasons why your hearing aids may be picking up static sound or distorted noise. For example, it may be that you simply need to adjust the volume settings of your hearing aids. If the volume is set too high in noisy environments, it’s normal to pick up some kind of static. Moisture damage can also make the sound appear distorted, as it can corrode or damage essential hearing aid components such as microphones, batteries and tubing.

Schedule an appointment with an audiologist if you notice static or distorted sound with your hearing aids. They will be able to identify the issue and see what repairs may need to be done.

Adjust the Settings

Adjusting the settings of your hearing aids may resolve the issue, especially if you are spending a lot of time in noisy environments, where the microphones may pick up on a lot of excessive sounds. The more practiced you are at using your hearing aids effectively, the easier you’ll find it to adjust the settings when spending time in different environments.

Check for Moisture Damage

Checking for moisture damage can also help you to resolve this issue. To begin with, turn off your hearing aid and remove the battery, placing it in a cool, dry place. You should then dry your hearing aid with a cloth. In some cases, you may benefit from using a dehumidifier. Leave to dry for several hours, or overnight if possible. Using a dehumidifier will help to remove excess moisture you may have in your hearing aids.

Cleaning Your Hearing Aid

Cleaning your hearing aid can also help to reduce issues such as distorted sound, especially if this is triggered by a build-up of dirt, dust or wax on the hearing aid. When cleaning your hearing aids, use a dry cloth or specialist cleaning tools. Avoid using any moisture-based products, these products can cause damage to your hearing aids. Talk with an audiologist about what tools will help you to clean your hearing aids, they may suggest a wax pick or brush.

Seek Professional Help

If you are facing the same issues or cannot seem to resolve the issue independently, then you should seek out the advice of an audiologist. They are experienced in all areas of hearing aid maintenance and repairs and will be able to quickly and effectively get to the root of the issue. This means your hearing aids will be functioning effectively.