Hearing a whistling noise coming from your hearing aid can be distressing. You rely on your hearing aids to hear clearly, and a malfunction such as whistling is both irritating and disruptive. Before you decide you need to replace your hearing aid because of a whistling noise, find out what causes hearing aids to whistle and whether you can get the device repaired.
As your Toronto audiologist, we make hearing aids easy to use. If your hearing aid is whistling or malfunctioning in any other way, you may be able to fix the issue yourself or you can bring the device into our hearing aid clinic where we can take a look. In this blog, we are going to explain why hearing aids whistle, how to address simple issues yourself, and when you should bring your hearing aids in for repair.
Why Does My Hearing Aid Whistle?
At some point in your experience with a hearing aid, you may hear a whistling noise This whistling noise is also called feedback, the same as the feedback you may experience from a microphone. The microphone is one of the three main components of a hearing aid, along with the amplifier and speaker.
Feedback may occur at different times or under different circumstances. You may experience feedback when you take your hearing aids in or out in the morning and evening, or you may hear feedback when you put on a scarf or hug someone. In some situations, you do not need to worry about feedback, as this is the hearing aid’s natural response to sound reflecting off of background surroundings.
However, not all causes of hearing aid whistling are normal. Below are some of the most common reasons you may be hearing feedback from your hearing aid. In some cases, cleaning and maintenance can help, while in others, hearing aid repairs may be required to address the issue.
1. Poor Fit
One cause of hearing aid whistling is that the dome (ear tip) does not fit properly, allowing sound emitted from the speaker to escape your ear and return to the microphone, causing a feedback loop.
Try pushing the dome further into your ear canal to create a better seal. If your hearing aid does not sit in far enough in your ear , you may experience feedback.
The shape of your ear may also have changed since you had your hearing aid fitted. While digital technology has significantly improved hearing aid fitting, ear canals are dynamic in shape and can change over time, resulting in changes to your hearing aid’s fit.
The solution to a poor fit is trying different dome sizes When you are choosing the right hearing aids at Toronto Hearing Consultants, we ensure that the dome is selected carefully to fit your ear. If none of the domes fit, you may need a custom earmold, where an impression is taken of the ear canal. We take and send an earmold impression to the manufacturer to ensure a proper fit.
2. Earwax Buildup
Earwax can block your hearing aid or your ear canal itself, causing sound to reflect back into the microphone and create a feedback loop. Check your ears for excessive wax buildup if you are experiencing hearing aid whistling.
Earwax on your hearing aid may also result in feedback. Properly cleaning your hearing aids can prevent and remove earwax buildup. A daily cleaning routine will extend the longevity and functioning of your hearing aids. Create an evening routine of gently wiping down the exterior surfaces of your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt accumulated throughout the day. You may also want to use a small brush specifically designed for hearing aids to clean out openings such as the microphone ports and vents to maintain optimal sound transmission. When it comes to removing wax, only use specialized cleaning tools designed to remove wax without damaging your hearing aid.
3. The Volume Is Too High
Adjusting the volume of your hearing aid may also be the source of feedback. Increasing the volume can cause unwanted sounds, such as whistling. When the volume is too high, sound emitted from the speakers can bounce back into the microphone and cause feedback. Before you do anything else, try reducing the volume and see if feedback persists.
4. Objects Adjacent to Your Hearing Aid
Sometimes, you may experience hearing aid whistling due to the presence of an object adjacent to your hearing aid. This can be as simple as your hand brushing your ear or wearing a hat that covers your ears, creating a surface that allows sound from the speaker to echo back into the microphone. Whistling caused by adjacent objects is usually brief and should cease when the object is removed. However, if you find whistling occurs regularly and becomes distracting, there may also be an issue with how the device fits.
5. Mechanical Issues
Wear and tear can affect your hearing aid as well. Mechanical issues such as a dislodged microphone or broken tubing impact their performance and may cause whistling. If you have already tried cleaning, adjusting, or turning down the volume on your hearing aid with no results, bring your hearing aid to Toronto Hearing Consultants for repair or to discuss a replacement.
Why Do Hearing Aids Whistle When Not in Use?
When you are not wearing your hearing aids, the sound emitted by the speakers may easily find its way back to the microphone, resulting in a feedback loop.
Why Does My Hearing Aid Whistle When I Put My Hand Near It?
Similarly, placing your hand near your ear creates a surface that allows sound to bounce back and reach the microphone again.
Your hearing aid should feel comfortable and improve your ability to hear the world around you. Modern hearing aid technology has improved to better meet your individual hearing needs, but malfunctions do happen. You can get your hearing aid repaired or adjusted to reduce whistling and feedback. Talk to us about getting your hearing tested, adjusting and programming your hearing aid to meet your custom requirements, and the cost of hearing aids.
Enjoy the full benefits of hearing aids without distracting whistling noises and feedback. You may want to try addressing these common issues on your own, but if problems continue, talk to Toronto Hearing Consultants about getting your hearing aid repaired.
