You’ve been looking forward to this all week: a Zoom call with your grandchildren. You’ll have a blast and catch-up with your beloved family members.
But when you log in you realize, to your sadness and frustration, that you can’t hear properly. Your hearing aids are in, but everything seems muffled.
You can’t believe how frustrated you are.
Modern marvels muffled
Modern hearing aids are known for their ability to provide very clear sounds. So when that doesn’t happen, that can be really frustrating. Hearing aids are supposed to help you hear better, right? But your hearing aids are not helping your hearing. Actually, they’re making everything sound muffled. The hearing aid itself may not even be the issue.
Why do my hearing aids sound muffled?
Ok, so, if the hearing aid is functioning properly, why does everyone sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher? Well, there are a few things you can do to try to right the ship, as it were.
Earwax
You’d be rich if you had a nickel for every time earwax caused trouble. The issue with your hearing aid could be a build-up of earwax against the microphone. The earwax interferes with your hearing aid’s ability to pick up sound and, thus, the amplification is muffled.
Here are some indications that earwax may be the problem.:
- Turning the hearing aid on. If the start-up songs and dings all sound normal, but speech is later muffled, the problem is probably with the microphone and not the speaker (and wax is the most likely reason).
- Doing a visual inspection. In other words, take a good look at the hearing aid before you put it in your ear. Clean it completely if you see any earwax.
Conversely, it’s possible that earwax in your ear and not on the hearing aid is the issue here. In those cases, be certain to clean out your ears in a safe way (a cotton swab, by the way, is not a safe way). The troubleshooting will need to continue if the muffled sound remains even after you’ve cleaned your ears and your hearing aid.
Infection
So, if earwax isn’t the problem, the next likely reason will be an infection. This could be a common ear infection. Sometimes, it could be an inner ear infection. Both are worth scheduling an appointment for an assessment.
Swelling of the ear canal and middle ear can be the outcome of both kinds of infection. Your hearing will then sound muffled as this swelling blocks the transmission of sound. Typical, antibiotics will clear this kind of infection up. Once the infection clears, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Batteries
It’s also altogether possible that your hearing aid batteries are in need to be charged. Hearing aids can sound muffled when the batteries are drained so make sure you watch for that. Even if your hearing aids are rechargeable this can still be true. Sometimes, changing the batteries with new ones can make your hearing aids sound crystal clear again.
Hearing loss
It may also be possible that your hearing loss has changed and your hearing aids need to be reprogrammed to compensate for that. Consider making an appointment for a hearing exam if you haven’t had one in the past year. While you’re here having your hearing aid adjusted we can also do an inspection and cleaning.
Don’t let it linger
It’s definitely a smart plan to come in for a consultation if you’ve tried all this and your hearing aid is still muffled. You might find yourself leaving your hearing aids in a drawer and cranking your TV up again if you don’t eliminate this muffling issue. Your hearing may then begin to sustain additional damage.
So, don’t let it linger. Make an appointment with us so you can get back to hearing before that big family event. You’ll enjoy yourself more if you can actually hear what they’re saying!