Managing Feedback Noises from Your Hearing Aids

Those occasional squeaks or whistles that emanate from your hearing aids are known as feedback. They used to happen more frequently in earlier hearing aid models.

What exactly is feedback noise?

An acoustic feedback takes place when amplified sound from a receiver re-enters the hearing aid via microphone and gets amplified again. Overall, feedback sounds like a whistling noise. The sounds can fluctuate from a low hum to a high-pitched screech.     
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How can feedback noises be managed?

Most modern hearing aids have a feedback management feature that makes the whistling stop. There is usually a run through of this feature during your initial hearing aid fitting, or when there is a repair or modification. 

Some cases may still cause feedback. These include:

• Hearing aid fit/resting: When a custom hearing aid with an earmold or a dome does not have a complete seal in the ear canal, sound can leak out and become amplified. The best solution, in this case, would be a different acoustic option. In other instances, the receiver may not be aligned with the ear canal, which would cause the sound to come in contact with the ear canal’s wall. This would possibly create feedback. The solution to this would be a deeper earmold impression.
• Earwax: Earwax can produce feedback noise. If outside sounds cannot transmit into the eardrum due to earwax obstructing the canal, it may bounce off of the earwax and become re-amplified. Here are five tips to safely remove earwax.   

Our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound can make changes to your hearing aids’ output and gain (amplification), which can prevent feedback. If you are experiencing feedback noises that you can no longer manage, please contact us to schedule an appointment. 

Pure Sound will only be open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before stopping in at one of our office locations.

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