Is your hearing aid whistling? What is going on? Read on to find out why your hearing aid is whistling.
Whistling can be great for attracting attention. Sadly, though that sometimes happens at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons.
Wearing a hearing aid can occasionally feel something to be self-conscious about. This can be very true when you first start wearing one. It doesn't help when your device starts to emit a piercing noise when you're in mid-conversation.
We're here to blow the whistle on the causes of this unwelcome sound. Once we're better informed, we can mitigate the chances of hearing aid whistling happening at all.
Why Does Hearing Aid Whistling Happen?
The whistling noise that occasionally comes from your device is called feedback. It happens when amplified sound gets back into the microphone. The sound is then re-amplified into the hearing aid causing the whistling sound.
We've all watched performers warm up on stage. Sometimes you'll hear their microphones causing feedback problems through their speakers. It's exactly the same issue in hearing aids.
Common Issues
Let's look at the most familiar times when the problem arises with a hearing aid.
It can happen when you're putting your hand up to your ear as you give someone a hug. Or, the ringing sound occurs when you insert or remove your hearing aid. Wearing a hat or over-ear garment can also set the sound off.
A temporary whistling may also occur when something like the back of a chair is very close to your ear. This could happen if the chair is high-backed and molded on either side for a headrest. It doesn't matter what the type, model or cost is of your hearing aid.
You will hear a whistling noise at some point when you are wearing one. This kind of sporadic feedback is normal. It can usually be prevented by ensuring that the hearing aid is fitted correctly in the ear. If you suffer from regular feedback, or, if it happens when you talk, chew or turn your head, then you may want to seek support.
Feedback Managers
Many of the latest hearing aids have very efficient feedback managers. These can usually be set and adjusted during the fitting process. This means it's less likely for that irritating feedback to happen.
Sometimes, though, even with the best will in the world, the problem occurs. More often than not, this is caused by user-error. Often the hearing tip has not been placed deep enough in the ear's canal. It's also been known for users to put theirs in upside down or in the wrong ear. The fixes are clearly simple in these cases. You should always follow the instructions.
The Mold Is a Bad Fit
The shape of our ears can alter over the years. Factors such as weight gain or weight loss can bring about physical changes even to our ears. This can cause the hearing aid molds to no longer fit well. This will, in turn, lead to sound leaking out of the hearing aid. That will cause the unwelcome whistling sound. It's important at this point to invest in a new ear mold so that the hearing aid fits snuggly back in your ear again.
Too Much Earwax
If you allow earwax to build up then it can lead to more sound bouncing back and leaking out of the ear. This will alter the feedback path. The hearing aid won't be able to cope and the high-pitched whistling sound can then occur.
The only solution is to remove the earwax. Trying to remove earwax at home yourself can be risky. It's always better to seek the help of a professional when it comes getting rid of an unwelcome build-up of earwax.
Volume Control
Feedback management systems are far better than they were several years ago. Nonetheless, turning up the volume will raise the level of sound being forced back out of the ear. Once again, this changes the feedback path that's been set on the hearing aid. The result is the high pitched piercing noise.The solution is to decrease the volume. If this makes hearing too difficult then it may be time to consider changing your hearing aid.
Headwear
Wearing a hat, cap, scarf or other head covering can sometimes alter the feedback path. Once again this can lead to the unpleasant whistling sound. It may also occur when you're giving someone a hug. The sound should be short-lasting and it may not be possible to stop it happening at all with some types of hearing aids.
The Tube Is Split
Any kind of rupture in the tube that joins a 'behind the ear' type of hearing aid is going to increase the likelihood of whistling. Some thicker-style tubes can become hard, shrink and then crack. Newer thinner tubes can also become worn out. They can then split too. The solution is to replace the tubes with new ones.
Hearing Aid Failure
It doesn't happen often but just as with other types of technical devices, there may be an inherent fault. It may also be possible that the device itself may have been damaged in transit. It's important to get the hearing aid checked out thoroughly if you suspect this may be the case.
You're Not Alone
It's estimated that 17 percent of American adults say they have some type of hearing loss. Nearly fifty percent of adults aged 75 years or more have some sort of hearing impairment. It's thought that millions of people could benefit from using hearing aids. Those who already do will be familiar with the possibility of experiencing that unpleasant whistling sound.
We're here to Help You
Occasional hearing aid whistling is very common and not something to worry about. It should certainly not deter anyone from wearing a hearing aid.
Wearing a hearing aid will have a positive impact on anyone as they go about their day to day business.
Visit us and see how we can provide you or your loved ones with great-value hearing aids. They'll help anyone who's struggling with a hearing loss problem to enjoy a richer and fuller life.