How to Turn on a Hearing Aid: A Basic Guide
This may seem like an obvious question, but how exactly do you turn on your hearing aid? Why is there no button or switch to turn the hearing aid on and off? With the advancement of technology comes a decrease in the size of parts.
We went from large handheld phones to flip phones to smartphones that are slimmer than ever. Similarly, hearing aids started out on the larger side.
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Where is the On/Off Button for Hearing Aids?
The first hearing aids to use electricity were worn around the neck, and it was not until the advent of the transistor that hearing aids could go directly into the ear. Once silicon came along and
technology improved, the hearing aids got smaller and smaller, explaining why the on/off button disappeared.
The hearing aids today can fit on the tip of your finger and are almost invisible when placed within the ear. Instead of taking up space to include a switch for on/off options, hearing aid companies worked to come up with a simpler, slighter solution.
Bringing the Hearing Aid to Life: Closing the Battery Door
Now that you know how the hearing aid has progressed to what it is today, how can you turn on your hearing aid?
The answer is actually quite simple – close the
battery door. When the battery door is open, the electronic circuit is not complete.
There is only one side of the hearing aid touching the battery, but there is no flow. When you close the battery door, the circuit is complete, and the hearing aid comes to life. When you remove your hearing aid from your ear, you should also open the battery door to preserve the life of the battery.
Minimizing Battery Drain & Avoiding Corrosion: Removing the Battery
If you are not wearing the hearing aids for an extended amount of time, take the battery completely out of the compartment to minimize any drain on the battery. In addition, any moisture that is built up within the hearing aid will have a chance to dry out during that time.
Battery corrosion is fairly common in hearing aids due to their location within the ear and the amount of moisture build-up, so a crucial part of hearing aid maintenance is battery care.
Why Won’t My Hearing Aid Turn On?
There are a few reasons why your hearing aid may not work, even when you have closed the battery door.
Checking to See if Your Battery Died
The first, most common reason would be a dead
battery. Because hearing aids are used over an extended amount of time, the battery life may be shorter than you expect. The average is 75 to 200
hours.
Changing out The Battery: Troubleshooting Broken Hearing Aids
Once you realize your hearing aid is not working properly, make sure your first thought is to change the battery. There may be a beeping sound, sounds may be distorted, or you may lose sound completely.
Regardless, it is helpful to keep spare batteries with you at all times to prevent hearing loss.
Checking for Blockage: Fixing Your Battery and Hearing Aid
The next most common cause of hearing aid malfunction is a blockage. Be sure to properly clean your hearing aid and remove any debris to keep the receiver clear.
If after replacing the battery and cleaning the hearing aid will still not turn on, consult an
Audicus professional for additional guidance.
By: Diana Michel, Updated in 2021
