Squealing or Screeching in Hearing Aids: What It Means

holding a hearing aid

You love your hearing device for all the new sounds you can pick up like birds chirping and bees buzzing. But you could do without the high-pitched squealing noise it sometimes makes when you adjust or remove it.

Common Causes of Hearing Aid Feedback

The high-pitched noise coming from your electronic device is called feedback. There are a few reasons why this might happen, but the best way to fix it is to figure out where the problem is coming from. This could be due to:

  • Blockages

If there is too much ear wax buildup in your ear canal, it can block sound from coming in and cause feedback. Your hearing care provider can remove the excess wax and fix the problem.

  • Improper Fit

If your hearing aid is not fitting snugly against your ear, it may need to be refitted. If there is a gap between the device and your ear, sound can echo back into the microphone, causing a squealing noise. This could be the issue if you have recently lost weight or haven’t had a fitting for many months.

  • Poor Molding

If your hearing aid isn’t well-fitted to your ear on the first try, sound may bounce off the ear canal wall instead of going straight to your eardrum. Your hearing specialist can fix this by taking new impressions, readjusting the device, or making other customizations.

  • Mechanical Problems

A malfunctioning device can cause feedback if one or more parts are not working correctly. There might be a hole in the tubing, electrical interference between the casing and speaker, or another issue that prevents the hearing aid from providing clear sound.

How to Resolve Feedback Issues

If your hearing aids are screeching, there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. The cause could be that they don’t fit well anymore, or there might be wax buildup in your ear. These things can cause feedback, so it’s important to check them individually.

1. Check the Fit

You might not realize it, but your hearing device could be fitting too loosely to your ear. You should call your hearing care specialist if it moves when you adjust it. We can take impressions and make small adjustments until it fits snuggly.

2. Check the Wax

Your hearing specialist can clear the wax away from your ears with a special tool called an ear loop. Once the wax is gone, you can get your hearing aid back on without feedback. If you can’t see your ear canal, it’s best to leave this to the professionals.

3. Temporarily Remove the Aid

You can sometimes stop the hearing aid from screeching by taking it out. You might also try removing the battery to fix the problem. Putting it back on should do the trick. Your hearing care professional can help you with this if you’re having a hard time.

Conclusion

Feedback is a common problem with hearing aids, but it’s easily fixed. The first step to resolving a feedback problem is to find out where it’s coming from and why it’s happening. In most cases, your hearing care specialist can solve the issue by taking new impressions, installing a new battery, or making a few adjustments.

Fraser Valley Beltone is the leading hearing aid clinic in Langley. We approach hearing care to understand our client’s wants and needs and consider what’s important to them. We combine comfort and style in every hearing aid we make to give clients another chance at a natural, pleasant hearing. Get in touch with us today! 

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