How to Deal with Feedback Noises from Your Hearing Aids

Hearing Aid Feedback

Hearing aids a great way to hear the important sounds from your life again. From your loved ones, to nature and music, hearing aids can make a huge difference in your life.
Sadly, these devices might draw some unwanted attention due to feedback noises which sometimes produce a loud, high-pitched noise. 

Hearing aid feedback is defined as a noise that is produced when an acoustic signal - or sound wave - leaves the ear canal and comes in contact with the hearing aid’s microphone. It may sound like a buzz, hiss, screech, squeal, static or whistle. 

This is a common issue with hearing aids. If a hearing aid user has a severe hearing loss, there is a higher chance for feedback noise due to the intensity and magnitude of the sound wave.      

Causes of Feedback in Hearing Aids

There are three common types of hearing aid feedback that wearers experience: acoustical, electronic or mechanical.

• Acoustical feedback - This occurs when loud sounds created by the hearing aid’s speaker is gathered by the hearing aid’s microphone. This usually happens when the device is not properly fitted, or when there’s too much earwax that has built up in the ear canal.
• Electronic feedback - This happens when there’s an issue with the hearing device’s electrical circuits.
• Mechanical feedback - This is caused by vibrations produced when the hearing aid’s speaker makes contact with the hearing aid casing.  

Hearing Aid Feedback in the Latest Devices

Modern hearing aids are much less prone to create feedback because they are designed to handle the noises. These hearing aids also don’t produce a lot of feedback noises for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. As long as the device is in proper working condition, is either custom fitted, or a standard hearing aid that fits comfortably, and the sounds are traveling to the eardrum, there should not be any issues. 

Fine-tuning Your Hearing Aids to Avoid Feedback 

Feedback sounds are not detrimental to your health, but they may irritate you or cause some embarrassment when you’re in a public environment. If the feedback is acoustical, here are some things you can do that might correct the issue.  

• Be sure that your hearing aid properly fits in your ear. If you change the position of the dome or earmold and it’s still creating the noise, rinse your ear canal out with an over-the-counter ear wax kit. 
• Remove ear wax that has built up in the ear canal. Clearing this obstruction will allow sound to flow into your eardrum.
• If you’ve tried all of these suggestions and there are still feedback sounds, there may be something wrong with the hearing aid device itself. Make an appointment with your hearing instrument specialist. They will determine whether there is a mechanical issue. In some instances, you might need a new hearing aid, or earmold. Like everything else that changes as you age, your ears change shape. This shift can alter the fit of your hearing aids.      

Get Help for Your Hearing and Hearing Aids

Don’t let the fear of experiencing feedback noises stop you from getting your hearing treated.  Untreated hearing loss can worsen over time, and exposes you to other health issues including dementia, depression, social isolation and other psycho-social problems. 

If you, or a loved one, use hearing aids and experience feedback noises, please schedule an appointment with one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer custom-fit hearing aids, and standard hearing aids with domes that are available in a variety of sizes.        

Contact Us