The impact of dirt and debris on microphones
Your hearing aids are awesome! They help you hear those sounds you would otherwise miss and give you the confidence to enjoy social situations, the TV and hearing loved ones again. They look after you, and they deserve a little attention too so they can keep working as intended.
You may have the best hearing aids in the world, set up to perfection by the very best audiologist, but it won’t maintain it’s function indefinitely without a little care. More often than not, a hearing aid is lucky to have it’s consumables (filter, domes and/or tubing) replaced regularly. Whilst this is part of a good maintenance schedule, it does not go far enough.
The microphones in a hearing aid are responsible for picking up sounds from your surroundings and converting them into electrical signals. These signals are then processed, adjusted and amplified in all sorts of ways to correct your hearing and help you hear more clearly. The microphones are tiny, finely tuned and sensitive, designed to pick up a wide range of frequencies and sounds, from the quietest whispers to background details. Sometimes recessed behind ports, they are located on the outside of the hearing aid, where they are exposed to dust, moisture, earwax, and other debris.
How Usage Affects Microphones
Over time, debris can accumulate on the microphone and other parts of your hearing aid. This can significantly impact the device’s performance and lead to a range of problems, such as:
1. Reduced Sound Quality: The most immediate effect of debris is a reduction in sound quality. Dirt, dust, earwax, or moisture can block the microphone’s ability to pick up sounds clearly, leading to muffled or distorted hearing. This can build up over time and go unnoticed, and sometimes hearing aids are incorrectly adjusted as a well intentioned but misguided fix.
2. Distorted Amplification: Because the microphone captures sound before it is processed and amplified, any blockage or interference can disrupt this process. The result may be weak or inconsistent sound amplification, causing frustration and reduced clarity.
3. Complete Sound Loss: In severe cases, heavy debris buildup can completely block the microphone, resulting in no sound being picked up at all. If your hearing aid isn’t amplifying any sound, it's likely that the microphone is obstructed.
4. Damage to Internal Components: Prolonged exposure to moisture, dust, or earwax can lead to damage inside the microphone, affecting not just its function, but potentially the internal electronics of the hearing aid itself. Instead of needing a thorough clean and service, the hearing aid may require costly repairs and mean being without it for a period of time.
5. Poor hearing in background noise: Advanced hearing solutions use finely calibrated microphones which work together and adjust to give different focus to speech and sounds around you depending on the acoustic environment you are in. WIth most patients wearing two hearing aids, many hearing aids work wirelessly as a pair, effectively making them a four microphone array. If one or more of the microphones is not able to hear due to dirt or debris, this will adversely affect these powerful directional technologies.
Tips for Maintaining Your Hearing Aid Microphones
Regular maintenance is important to keep your hearing aid working at its best. By cleaning and caring for your device properly, you can avoid the negative impact of debris on the microphone and extend the lifespan of your hearing aid. Here are some tips to help you maintain your hearing aids:
1. Protect against dust and dirt: Store your hearing aids in a protective case when not in use. This can help keep dust and dirt from settling on the microphones and other sensitive components. If possible, be mindful when inserting and removing your hearing aids not to run fingers over the microphones.
2. Schedule regular professional servicing: Audiologists and hearing aid specialists are sometimes trained and equipped to professionally check, clean and inspect your device, ensuring that it functions optimally and is as reliable as possible. For most types of hearing aids it is recommended to have a professional service every 6 months to maintain correct function and prevent potential blockages, reduction in performance and inconvenient breakdowns. A professional service requires the use of specialist equipment and should be far more than a simple filter or tube change.
3. Some hearing aids actually have microphone filters: small replaceable filters that help block debris from entering the microphone. These filters should be checked and replaced periodically to maintain the cleanliness and functionality of your hearing aids. If you are not sure, consult your local hearing aid specialist.
Conclusion
Hearing aid function and reliability benefits from some simple precautions and a bit of care. The microphones are intricate components that enable your hearing device to function properly. Keeping them free from debris and moisture is key to ensuring that they continue to perform at their best. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and professional maintenance can help you avoid the common issues caused by dirt, dust, earwax, and other environmental factors. By taking proactive steps to care for your hearing aids, you’ll ensure that your hearing experience remains clear, consistent, and enjoyable for years to come.