Your spouse accused you again of not listening. At least you think that what was said – you didn’t really hear the words clearly. The way to vindicate yourself is to check your hearing aids. With any luck, you will discover a simple issue, get it cleared up and be off the hook at home.
Experts suggest that you check your hearing aid every six months, whether you are having problems with them or not. Just as you change your oil in the car and check your tire pressure on a regular base, (Alright, pretend for this discussion that you do!), your hearing aid device needs to be checked.
It is the in-between time, like now, when the spouse thinks you are not hearing on purpose that you should know all the steps to check the hearing aid device for problems.
The Ups and Downs of Volume Control
Turn the volume up and down and back up again to be sure it is working properly and that you did not turn it down during last night’s neighborhood karaoke night. It is surprising how often hearing aids get turned down and then forgotten about.
Batteries Are Your Friend
If the volume does not work, check the batteries. It is possible they got knocked loose during last night’s post-karaoke dance contest. First, make sure that they are still properly installed. If they are but you still have trouble hearing, put in some fresh batteries in case the old ones are dead.
Cleaning is Crucial
Clean them. Come on, admit it. You rarely take the time to clean them properly. No worries, you can do it now. Be sure to check the tubes if you have a behind the ear device. They can get clogged with dirt, earwax, etc. To avoid damaging your device, follow your doctor’s or manufacturer’s instructions for the proper cleaning method.
Damage Control – and Not Just Your Spouse
Throughout the process of checking the aid, be sure to examine it visually and see if it has gotten cracked or otherwise damaged. This can happen from normal wear and tear as the device ages, or it can be damaged by dropping it on a hard surface or placing heavy objects on it when it is out of the ear.
Once you have checked the volume control, the batteries, cleaned it and examined it for damage, if it still does not work, you need to take it to an audiologist for further inspection. Doing this check every six months, even if your spouse is not complaining that you don’t listen will help keep your hearing aid device in good working order for as long as possible.