Got Hearing Aid Feedback?
Hearing aid technology is becoming much more advance as time goes on. We are lucky to be living in such a wonderful time. Hearing aids have made it possible for people with hearing loss to listen to their favorite song, the wind rustling leaves in trees, the joy in their loved one’s voices, and whatever else your heart desires.
Sadly, some errors will occur; the most common is hearing aid feedback. You already don’t want noticeable hearing aids, and that high-pitched squealing is not helping. Don’t let hearing aid feedback be the reason you do not purchase hearing aids, though. Feedback is completely normal and easily fixable.
This article will go over what hearing aid feedback is, what causes feedback in hearing aids, and how to get rid of feedback.
What is Hearing Aid Feedback?
Hearing aid feedback noise is a whistling, squealing, loud buzz, static, or screech that comes when sound waves escaping your ear go back into the hearing aid microphone and then amplifies it AGAIN. This type of feedback is called acoustical feedback. There are three different types of hearing aid feedback.
- Electronic feedback
- Mechanical feedback
- Acoustical feedback
Electronic feedback is when there is an issue with the electrical circuits in the hearing device. When the hearing aid speaker touches the hearing aid case, it produces vibrations; this is mechanical feedback. Unfortunately, both of these issues will need an expert to correct them.
What Causes Feedback in Hearing Aids?
Some common causes of feedback are broken tubing, volume too high for some frequencies, poorly fitted hearing aids, or built-up earwax.
Here are 3 Effortless Ways on How to Stop Hearing Aid Feedback
- Reposition your hearing aid. Sometimes it can be as simple as taking your hearing aids out and reinserting them back in. If the hearing aid feedback noise appeared suddenly, it could have become loose. When placing the dome or earmold back into your ear, pull on your earlobe to ensure it sits snug and proper in the canal.
- Remove built-up earwax. If repositioning did not help, there could be earwax that is obstructing your ear canal. Even though earwax is naturally occurring and has a role in protecting your ears, there can be an excess build-up. You can use an earwax kit from most drugstores to clean your ears. The sound waves then will be able to travel through the clean ear canal unobstructed. For good measure, you can also clean your hearing aids to make sure nothing is clogging them.
- Refit and see your provider. If repositioning and cleaning still do not stop hearing aid feedback, check if your hearing aids fit wrongly. Loose-fitting hearing aids allow noise to escape from your canal and thus cause that acoustical feedback. To check if they are loose, create a barrier between the gaps by placing a small amount of petroleum jelly on the device. Push it gently and a bit deeper. If the feedback doesn’t occur, then it most likely is due to it being loose-fitting.
If you need to reshape your mold or the above options, do not prevent feedback, speak with a provider.
No More Hearing Aid Feedback!
Now you know all about feedback, the three different types, some causes, and three different methods on how to get rid of feedback. So, there is no reason to be afraid of getting hearings aids. As I said before, don’t let the fear of judgment or hassle stop you from buying hearing aids.
ONE – It is really dangerous to ignore your hearing problems due to fear. John Hopkins talks about cognitive issues and more with leaving hearing loss unchecked.
TWO – As you now have seen, feedback is an easy fix.
THREE – You even have the option to go through most (if not all) the process online.
