Hearing aids are remarkable devices ready to benefit approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults. These tiny devices improve your life in countless ways by amplifying speech sounds, suppressing background noise, managing tinnitus symptoms and more.
If you’re new to hearing aids, you’re likely going through the process of learning about and getting used to your new piece of technology. As with other devices, you may find they have a bit of a learning curve at the start. Let’s take a look at a few common signs of hearing aid malfunction to help you better understand and take advantage of these incredible devices.
You Hear a Whistling Sound
A whistling sound, called feedback, is a common hearing aid malfunction. Most feedback arises from one of two sources:
- Poor fit or placement. When your hearing aid is placed incorrectly or does not entirely fit, the seal between your ear and the device is broken. When this seal breaks, the sound delivered from your devices into your ears bounces back to your hearing aid microphone, leading to feedback.
- Earwax buildup. Just as your in-ear headphones require cleaning, so do your hearing aids. Excess wax in your ear or on your devices can cause the sound to bounce back to the microphone, leading to feedback.
Other common feedback sources include too-high volume, broken tubing and dislodged microphones. If you are experiencing feedback, start by checking the placement of your devices and removing any earwax you see. Never attempt to clean earwax from your ears using cotton swabs or other devices. If you have earwax buildup in the canal, schedule an appointment with your provider to have it professionally removed.
If feedback persists following cleaning and replacement, contact your hearing aid specialist to check for broken parts or digital malfunction.
Noise Is Muffled or Inconsistent
Muffled or inconsistent noise can be due to a few reasons, including:
- Programming. Everybody hears differently. And everybody requires different device settings. If your devices no longer provide the crystal-clear sound you’re used to, contact your hearing aid specialist to see if a reprogramming is in order.
- Earwax and debris. You may experience sound distortion if your device microphone or speaker is clogged with debris. Start by cleaning your devices according to their manual instructions. If the distorted sounds persist, contact your specialist for reprogramming, cleaning or repair.
Feedback and inconsistent or muffled hearing are two of the most common hearing aid malfunctions. Knowing how to handle these malfunctions will bring you one step closer to understanding and reaping the benefits of your new devices. To learn more about your hearing aids, contact The Hearing & Speech Center today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
