Sometimes hearing aids can make a whirring sound. It can sound just like your phone does sometimes when it gets too close to the radio. This is what it looks like and what you can do to fix it.

Whistling is a common symptom of hearing aids. You can experience it by simply wearing a scarf. Hearing aid feedback is the whistling sound.

What is the process of hearing aid feedback?

Hearing aid feedback is when the sound intended to enter your ear canal escapes your ear canal and bounces back into your hearing aid microphone. Your hearing aids will then begin to whine when the sound is amplified.

This feedback can occur in many situations, such as when you wear your hearing instruments in the morning, and then take them off at night, or when you are hugged by someone. This is normal as the hearing aids react to sound bouncing back from your environment.

Your hearing aid feedback could indicate that your hearing aids are not working properly or need to be cleaned. It is best to contact your hearing professional.

What makes my hearing aids whistle? And what can I do to stop it from happening again?

Although many hearing aids have feedback cancellation, it doesn’t protect you completely from feedback. Your hearing aids can whistle for a variety of reasons. These are some of the most common causes of feedback and how you can fix it.

  1. Poor fitting: Just like your body, your ears can change over time. You may notice a change in their shape. They can even change their shape. If this happens, the earmolds may become loose and not seal properly. This causes the sound to escape from your ears and bounce back into your hearing aids. Feedback is the result. You can fix this by getting new earmolds. Your ears and fit of the ear molds can be affected by weight gain or loss.

If your hearing aids don’t fit properly in your ears, the sound can escape and re-enter your hearing aid microphone. Make sure your hearing aids fit snugly in your ears. It is possible to ask someone else to verify that it is correct, or you can visit your hearing care professional.

  1. Too much volume 

Sometimes it can be tempting to increase the volume of your hearing aids. Turning it too loud can cause the sound to re-enter hearing aids and cause whistling. Reduce the volume of your hearing aids to avoid feedback.

  1. Broken tubing: 

Some hearing aids can cause the tube connecting to the earmold to harden or shrink. Sometimes, the tubing can pull on the earmold and cause it to not fit properly. It’s time for a new tube.

  1. Too much earwax 

Because they transmit sounds to your ears, hearing aids can help you hear. The sound cannot travel through if your ear canal is blocked with earwax. It bounces back into the hearing aids, and then they begin to whistle.

Earwax can block your ear canal, causing hearing loss and headaches. Make sure to have your ears cleaned by professionals.

  1. Dislodged microphones 

Also, displaced or loose microphones can cause feedback in hearing aids. This issue can be solved by your hearing care professional.

Get a free hearing test.