My Hearing Aids Are Whistling, Is This Normal?
Hearing aid whistling is also called “acoustic feedback.” It’s simply an already-amplified sound re-entering the hearing aid microphone.
Many people are reluctant to see a hearing health professional when they notice that they aren’t hearing as well as they used to. One oft-cited reason is that people are convinced that hearing aids do nothing but whistle. Which is very uncomfortable.
Hearing aid whistling is also called “acoustic feedback.” It’s simply an already-amplified sound re-entering the hearing aid microphone. It’s important to understand when it is normal and when you should mention it to your audioprosthetist.
Hearing aid whistling is normal when:
- The hearing aid is on, but not yet placed in the ear, meaning that the volume is on and the battery is charged.
- Something is placed directly beside your hearing aid, like your hand or a phone.
- However, it is not normal for the hearing aid to whistle constantly or frequently when it is placed properly in the ear and the wearer smiles, chews, speaks, tilts their head, etc.
- If this happens, it is important to have your hearing aid checked by your audioprosthetist because it is not normal.
Here is some advice to prevent whistling:
- Make sure that there is no earwax in your auditory canal; if you are unsure, ask your audioprosthetist to check.
- If the earmold or shell is loose, consult your audioprosthetist.
- If the earmold tube is too hard or damaged, consult your audioprosthetist.
- If the hearing aid is defective, consult your audioprosthetist.
Major technological advances now allow us to significantly reduce acoustic feedback, which is also known as the Larsen effect.
If you need more information, don’t hesitate to talk to the audioprosthetists practicing at Lobe clinics by calling 1 866 411-LOBE (5623). They will be happy to answer your questions.
Don't forget!
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient's needs.
