Top 6 Reasons Your Hearing Aid Is Squealing
Whistling or squealing sounds from your hearing aids often indicate that something needs attention. Here are some of the main reasons for squealing in hearing aids.
You may often hear whistling sounds coming from your hearing aids. This is known as hearing aid feedback and can occur occasionally or frequently. Sometimes, it happens due to simple things like wearing a scarf over your hearing aids, while other times it could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as a poor fit.
Feedback occurs when sound that was meant to enter your ear canal escapes, then bounces back into the microphone of your hearing aid. This causes the sound to be re-amplified, resulting in the whistling noise.
Hearing aid feedback can happen in various situations, such as when putting the devices on in the morning, taking them off at night, or even during a hug.
This feedback is typically a normal response to sounds reflecting from the surrounding environment. However, it can also indicate that your hearing aids need cleaning or maintenance if the issue persists.
5 Reasons Behind Hearing Aid Feedback or Whistling
Many modern hearing aids come with feedback cancellation features, but feedback or whistling sounds can still occur. There are several factors that may contribute to this issue. Here are five common reasons for hearing aid feedback:
- Poor Fit Over time, the shape of your ear can change, which may cause your hearing aid earmolds to become loose and fail to form a proper seal. This allows surrounding sounds to escape, only to return to the hearing aid’s microphone, causing feedback. To solve this, consider getting new earmolds or visiting a hearing care professional for an ideal fit. Weight changes can also affect the fit.
- Excessively High Volume Turning the volume of your hearing aids too high may improve hearing but can also trigger feedback. If the volume is too loud, surrounding sounds may re-enter the device. Lowering the volume can help prevent feedback.
- Dislodged or Blocked Microphones If the microphones of your hearing aids become loose or blocked with debris or earwax, feedback can occur. Cleaning the microphone holes with a wax pick or hook can resolve this issue.
- Broken Tubing Tubing that connects the earmold to the hearing aid can harden or shrink over time, disrupting the fit of the earmold. When the earmold no longer fits properly, feedback can result. Replacing the tube can fix this problem.
- Earwax Buildup Excessive earwax can block the ear canal, preventing sound from entering properly and causing it to reflect back into the hearing aid. This results in feedback. Regular cleaning of your ears is essential to avoid this issue, as earwax buildup can damage both your hearing and your devices.
Additional Causes
Minor causes of hearing aid feedback include:
- Hugging others
- Wearing scarves, hats, or other head coverings
- Excessive jaw movement (e.g., smiling or chewing)
These situations are typically harmless, and the feedback will fade on its own.
Feedback Cancellation Features
Many digital hearing aids now include feedback cancellation technology. This feature detects sound signals returning to the microphone and removes them before they can be re-amplified, preventing whistling or squeaking noises. Hearing aids with this feature offer greater comfort, allowing you to wear hats, hug others, and go about your daily activities without worrying about feedback.
Final Thoughts
Hearing aid feedback is a common issue that can occur for various reasons, but most of the time it’s due to simple factors like poor fit, earwax buildup, or high volume. By addressing these issues, you can minimize feedback. If your hearing aids have feedback cancellation, you can enjoy a quieter, more comfortable experience. Always keep your hearing aids clean and well-maintained to avoid problems.
