Are you hearing a strange whistling noise coming from your hearing aid? It’s one of the most common hearing aid problems. Whistling happens due to feedback and can create a lot of discomfort for the user. As hearing aids become more advanced, it’s never been simpler to remove feedback. If you’re asking, “How do I stop my hearing aid from whistling?” here’s what you need to know to resolve the issue.
Whistling is just one of the many sounds you might hear due to the feedback loop. You could also hear squeaking or squealing sounds at the same time. This hearing aid noise is not just annoying to you, but to those around you as well. Feedback loops occur when the sound leaving your hearing aid circles back around and hits your hearing device’s microphone. That crackling, whistling, static sound is feedback in action. Thankfully, there are simple solutions to stop that hearing aid squeal. But why do hearing aids whistle?
If you’re experiencing this annoying noise from your device, you’re likely desperate for an answer to “why does my hearing aid whistle?” In order to stop the sound, you need to pinpoint the exact cause. There’s no single reason why your hearing aid is making a high-pitched noise, so let’s go over a few of the reasons why you’re experiencing problems:
● Poor Fitting – If your earmold hasn’t been configured to fit inside your ear correctly, the sound is going to leak out and cause feedback. To stop whistling, you need custom earmolds. Sometimes, fitting mistakes happen, so you need to go back to your hearing care provider and raise the issue with them.
● Earwax – Too much earwax could mean that the sound from the amplifier is being blocked and returned to your microphone. Continual problems may mean visiting your primary care physician to have the wax professionally removed.
● Blocked Microphone – After many months of wear, your hearing aid’s microphone could become blocked with debris and earwax. Unblocking your microphone may improve the amount of feedback you get.
These are the three main reasons why hearing aid ringing occurs. It also must be said that certain brands of hearing aid are more susceptible to feedback loops than others, so be sure to check with your hearing care professional.
Now you know why your hearing aid whistles, it’s time to start troubleshooting. The problem may not be immediately obvious. The first step is to take out your hearing aid and examine the microphone. If the small holes on your microphone are dirty, give them a careful wipe-down to see if it resolves the problem. If a blocked microphone is the cause, this should resolve the hearing aid noise without needing to see a professional.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, readjust your hearing aid. Make sure the tip of your hearing aid and earmold are firmly inside the ear. If you’re sure that you’ve placed your hearing aid correctly, it’s likely due to the earmold. In this case, it’s time to see a professional. Your hearing care provider will examine your hearing aid and determine whether it’s the cause. If it is, you’ll need to have your custom earmold completely remade. This process can take a few weeks.
Finally, make sure that you see your doctor regularly. Ask them to check your ears for wax buildup. Some people produce more wax than others, and you may need to have your ears regularly cleaned. Never attempt to clean your ears using a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can cause serious damage to your hearing and may even lead to a middle ear infection.
Hearing device manufacturers understand how frustrating a hearing aid squeal can be. Many of the newer digital models of hearing aid now come with built-in feedback cancellation features. Feedback cancellation is automatic and occurs by constantly monitoring the signals that return to the microphone. Any signs of feedback are automatically removed, so you never hear any unwanted sounds. Some manufacturers’ feedback cancellation features are more effective than others. Although this is a useful and effective option, getting your ears professionally cleaned regularly and ensuring your earmold is tailored to your ears are still the best solutions for mitigating feedback.
Feedback can be one of the most frustrating aspects of being a regular hearing aid wearer. Some people who could benefit from hearing aids have even stopped wearing them due to persistent feedback. Mitigating and eliminating feedback is relatively simple. As annoying as hearing aid whistling can be, a quick visit to your hearing health care provider can resolve the issue quickly and painlessly. If you need to explore your hearing aid options or would like to know more about hearing aid feedback, schedule a free consultation with a licensed hearing specialist with EarPros today.
