How To Troubleshoot Hearing Aid Feedback

Hearing aid users understand the frustration that comes with hearing aid feedback. When you least expect it, your hearing aid squeals or whistles (this is known as feedback), and it shocks you and anybody else nearby. Some feedback from a hearing aid is to be expected, but it can be avoided much of the time with the use of the following troubleshooting strategies and recommendations. Read on to find out more.

Are Your Hearing Aids Inserted Correctly?

The most likely reason for feedback when you’re using your hearing aid is that the device isn’t in the right place while you’re wearing it. Although you might assume that this wouldn’t be the case and that you’re wearing your hearing aids properly, it might actually be that they need adjusting a little – do that, and the feedback issue might disappear altogether. If you’re not sure how to make these adjustments or how to know if you are wearing your hearing aids correctly, the best thing to do is to ask for some advice from an expert audiologist. They’ll be able to ensure you get the most out of your hearing aids and hopefully prevent feedback.

It could be an even easier fix than you think, of course. If the whistling or feedback started all of a sudden, it is likely that taking the hearing aid out and putting it back in will fix the problem. Try pulling your earlobe down as you put the device in your ear. This will help make sure it fits right in your ear canal. On a different note, some feedback problems might be solved by changing the volume of the hearing aid, so this is also worth trying.

Clean Your Ears

It’s not usually the hearing aids themselves at fault when they start giving you trouble with feedback. If you put something inside your ear canal, it will inevitably come into contact with earwax, which can lead to a few problems.

Earwax is a normal byproduct of the human body and plays an important role in keeping the ears safe. However, a significant quantity of earwax buildup can prevent normal ear canal drainage. This, in turn, may affect the hearing aids’ amplification, leading to buzzing. Even people who don’t wear hearing aids can be affected by the whistling noise caused by wax.

If you are having issues with too much earwax production contact your audiologist for an examination.

Clean Your Hearing Aids

Of course, if your hearing aids are inserted into dirty ears, they will get dirty too. So even if you clean your ears, you’ll also need to think about cleaning your hearing aids to reduce feedback and help them work more efficiently.

Every time you take out your hearing aids, you should wipe them off gently to keep them clean. The hearing aid dome (otherwise known as the mold or earmold) can get clogged with wax. If it does, the wax gets in the way of the sound.

If the earmold is really dirty or broken, you might want to get a new one. The mold is a soft piece of silicone that can easily be replaced if necessary. It makes it easier for the hearing aid to fit in your ear and reduces feedback. It should be replaced when it wears out to stop hearing aid feedback and improve the way you hear.

Get Your Hearing Aids Repaired

There is a high degree of fragility in hearing aids. Your audiologist may have fitted you with a sturdy product, but eventually, it will break down from regular use. When a device produces feedback, it usually means that at least one component is malfunctioning (assuming none of the other fixes we have mentioned have alleviated the issue).

It’s tempting to try fixing obvious damage, such as bent or misshapen parts, on your own. However, this could be a big mistake. If you don’t know the ins and outs of how hearing aids are put together, it could be that something that appears to be an easy fix is actually much more complex, and the hearing aid is possibly beyond repair for your inexperienced eye. Trying to do anything yourself could make the situation worse, costing you more to rectify it.

You can save yourself a lot of hassle and money by investing in professional help if there seems to be something wrong with your hearing aid that is causing feedback. Talking to an audiologist is a good idea for both your hearing and your wallet.

For reliable and professional advice about hearing aid feedback or any other questions you might have about devices or your hearing in general, contact Brentwood Hearing Center on (615) 866-0431.