What Should You Do when Experiencing Faint Sounds from Your Hearing Aids?

If you wear hearing aids, have you ever noticed a difference in how sounds are being heard - even with a fresh pair of batteries or a full charge overnight? Do noises sound muffled, distant, or just wrong, as though something is missing?


The other possible reason why you may be hearing these faint sounds could be due to earwax. 

Earwax Buildup

Earwax is unavoidable. No matter what type of hearing aid you wear, whether it’s in-the-canal (ITC) or behind-the-ear (BTE), there will be contact with your ear canal.

Earwax Guards

Earwax has health benefits for your ears. It possess antibacterial and antifungal elements that can ward off many infections. 

Earwax and hearing aids aren’t always a good mix. Moisture from earwax can prevent hearing aids from properly functioning. Fortunately, earwax is predictable and manufacturing companies are making strides to improve hearing aid devices.

Today’s hearing aids have a protective shield, known as wax guards. This helps to stop earwax from interfering with the performance of your hearing device. The “faint” sounds may be caused by the wax guards. 

More on Wax Guards

A wax guard is a very small part of technology in your hearing aid. Wax cannot enter through it, but sounds have the ability to do so. It is important to have wax guards in your hearing aids to let them work properly. There are some instances when the wax guard could be the issue:

• Your wax guard was replaced with the wrong model. Most hearing aid makers have their own special wax guard design. If you use the incorrect model for your hearing aid, the device’s functions may go into decline. This is what might cause the hearing aid to sound faint.

 

• The wax guard hasn’t been changed in a long time. Just like every other type of filter, a wax guard won’t be effective in filtering earwax. You may need a new ear wax guard. After a while, cleaning the guard can become futile. You may purchase a special toolkit to make this process easier for you.    

 

• Get your hearing aids cleaned by a professional at least once a year. A professional cleaning is much more thorough, and they will make sure your hearing aid is working properly. Get a hearing test regularly to find out if your hearing has changed. 

 

• You should clean your earwax guard at least once a month. Even though wax guards filter out wax, it can get clogged. That means it’s time for it to be cleaned. Sound can get blocked, making the hearing aids ineffective.   

 

• The shell of your hearing aids must get cleaned. Your hearing aid shell needs to be cleaned when your wax guard is switched out. If the shell of your devices are coated in earwax, some of the wax may get inside the hearing aids as you change the guard. This would prevent the proper function of your hearing aid devices.

 
After Changing Your Wax Guard

You should be able to hear much more clearly. Listening and engaging in conversations should be easier. 

There is a learning curve when taking care of any intricate devices like hearing aids. If you are experiencing poor sound quality, check your wax guard. 

If you, or a loved one, are in need of a new wax guard or a professional hearing aid cleaning, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  

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