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Hearing loss affects nearly 50 million Americans, making it a significant public health concern. Wearing hearing aids can vastly improve people’s quality of life, and these devices need routine maintenance to preserve their function. If you recently started wearing these aids and are experiencing a whistling sound, here’s what you should know. 

What Causes Hearing Aids to Whistle?

Several issues can create a whistling sound in hearing aids. In many cases, the sound is due to earwax buildup that prevents sound from traveling through the ear canal. Your physician can examine and clean your ear canals to eliminate this type of feedback. 

hearing aidsImproper fit can also create whistling feedback. The earmolds and tubes can change shape and size over time, which prevents the device from sitting in the ear canal the right way and allows feedback.

Turning the volume up too high can also cause feedback because it stresses the internal mechanisms. Accessories, such as scarves, hats, or jewelry, can also bump your ears and disrupt the position of your hearing aids. 

How Can I Fix This Issue?

If whistling feedback is a rare occurrence, have your ears cleaned and checked to make sure you’re wearing the hearing aids properly. If the feedback persists, schedule an appointment with your audiologist to test the hearing aids. It may be time to get new molds, tubes, or internal hardware, so you don’t need to turn the volume higher. It’s important to acknowledge any whistling or feedback problems and report them to your audiologist as soon as possible. After all, hearing aids are meant to improve your hearing capabilities, not frustrate you with high-pitched frequencies and reverberations. 

 

If whistling noises are disrupting your day, have Anthony Durig Audiology check your hearing aids to identify the source of the problem. The clinic provides care to Summit County, OH, residents who need sound level testing and assistive devices to help them hear clearly. Call (330) 688-4115 to schedule an appointment. Like them on Facebook for more ear care tips.

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