How To Troubleshoot Hearing Aid Feedback

According to a recent study from the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, One in eight people in the United States aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears. However, thanks to various technological advancements, there are many different ways to combat hearing loss, including wearing hearing aids. 

There are various kinds of hearing aids available, including: 

• In the ear (ITE) 
• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the canal (ITC) 

Each form of hearing aid is designed to minimize the impact of different kinds of hearing loss. However, while quite advanced in design, you may encounter a few problems with your device from time to time. For example, you may notice that you pick up specific feedback when using the device. 

What Is Hearing Aid Feedback? 

Hearing aid feedback is typically caused when the microphone inside your hearing aids picks up sound that is leaving your ear canal, feeding it back into your ear. There are many different causes for this, such as a build-up of earwax or poorly fitting hearing aids. Either way, this causes the hearing aids to whistle or crackle. 

In some cases, it can feel uncomfortable, though it is usually more of an annoyance than anything. For example, you may find concentrating on what is happening around you hard as the feedback overrides other sounds. Talk to you hearing instrument specialist (HIS) if you are experiencing hearing aid feedback.

Thankfully, there are various ways to deal with hearing aid feedback.

Ensure That Your Hearing Aids Are the Right Fit

Hearing aids are often custom fit to your ears, which means that the chances of feedback occurring by stopping sound from escaping. This customization also means they are more comfortable. 

However, as our ears continue to change as we grow older this could mean that your current hearing aids need replacing or remolding to reduce feedback. Typically, the hearing aid should feel like a tight fit when placed inside your ear. This also reduces the chances of your hearing aid falling out or getting lost. 

If you are experiencing this problem, you should always consult a hearing instrument specialist, who can help you decide which type of hearing aid is right for you. They will also be able to assist when it comes to ensuring your hearing aid is the right shape or size. 

Clean Your Ears

A build-up of earwax can also cause hearing aid feedback due to the fact that it stops the sound from escaping. As a result, you should ensure that you clean both your ears and your hearing aids regularly to stop wax from building up and presenting issues. Talk to you HIS if you need a professional cleaning!

Turn Down the Volume

Hearing aids are designed to amplify sounds but can be set to different volumes based on your degree of hearing loss or the tasks you are carrying out. For example, many users find that they may need to turn their hearing aids down in busy, crowded environments to avoid overstimulation. It’s also very tempting to turn your hearing aids to the highest volume. However, doing so could cause feedback, which could mean the only thing you need to do to troubleshoot this issue is to turn down the volume slightly. 

Consider New Hearing Aids

Sometimes, feedback indicates that your hearing aids may need replacing, perhaps due to technical faults. For example, a typical hearing aid lasts between three and seven years. As such, if your hearing aid is nearing the end of its life, it’s only natural to encounter a few problems here and there. Make an appointment with your hearing instrument specialist to discuss your options and have a new hearing aid fitted. 

A benefit associated with buying new hearing aids is the fact that technological advancement means that each pair you buy is better and more capable than the last. This allows for the optimal user experience. 

Get In Touch to Find Out More 

If you’re experiencing any issues with your current hearing aids or would like to purchase hearing aids for the first time, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We have years of experience supporting people with hearing loss and have a wide range of hearing aids on offer.

A member of our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our Audio Hearing Aids Services or hearing health. Get in touch today at 330-244-9881 or 330-364-6637.