Hearing aids whistle sometimes. Just like your phone sometimes does when it’s too close to the radio. Here’s what causes it and what you can do about it.
If you wear hearing aids, you’re going to experience whistling at some point. It can happen through something as simple as putting on a scarf. The whistling is called hearing aid feedback.
How does hearing aid feedback occur?

Hearing aid feedback occurs when sound that was supposed to go into your ear canal leaves your ear and jumps back into the hearing aid microphone. The sound then gets re-amplified, and this causes your hearing aids to whistle.

This feedback can happen in different contexts, like when you put your hearing aids on in the morning and take them off in the evening, or when someone hugs you. This is perfectly normal because the hearing aids are reacting to the sound bouncing back from your surroundings.

Hearing aid feedback could also be a sign that something could be wrong with your hearing aids, or they need to be cleaned. In that case it’s best to consult your hearing care professional.

What causes my hearing aids to whistle and what can I do about it?

Many hearing aids come with feedback cancellation, but this doesn’t completely safeguard you from feedback.
A number of things can cause your hearing aids to whistle. Here are the most common reasons for feedback and how to resolve it.

1. A poor fit: Just like the rest of your body, your ears change over time. They may even change shape. If they do, the ear moulds become loose and do not seal properly. This means the sound gets away from your ear and jumps back into your hearing aids. And that causes feedback. To fix it, get new ear moulds fitted to your ear. Weight gain or weight loss can also affect your ears and the fit of the earmoulds. In general, if your hearing aids are not put properly in your ear, it gives the sound a chance to escape and re-enter the hearing aid microphone, so make sure they are sitting nice and tight in your ear. You can always ask someone to check if it looks correct or see your hearing care professional.
2. Too high volume: It can sometimes be tempting to turn up the volume on your hearing aids. But turning it up too loud can force the sound to re-enter your hearing aids, which causes whistling. Turn down your hearing aid volume and avoid the point where the sound gets so loud that it creates feedback.
3. Broken tubing: For some hearing aids, the tube that connects to the ear mould can harden and shrink. Sometimes the tubing then starts to pull the ear mould, so that it doesn’t have the right fit anymore. That means it’s time to get a new tube.
4. Too much earwax: Your hearing aids help you hear because they deliver sounds to your ear canal. But if the ear canal is blocked by too much earwax, the sound can’t get through. So, it bounces back into your hearing aids – and that’s when they start to whistle. If you’ve got excessive earwax, it can also block your ear canal and – in addition to causing problems with your hearing aids – give you earaches or damage your hearing. Get your ears cleaned by a professional and, while you’re at it, make sure that there are no clogged receivers or vents.
5. Dislodged microphones: Hearing aid feedback can also be caused by loose or displaced microphones. Your hearing care professional can help you resolve this issue.

Written by:
Natanya Lee Ruso (Berry) / Lara Toni Benigson

We may think that hearing is all about our ears, but in fact they simply serve as starting point to a much more complex processing system. They are the auditory information paths to our brains!

If this sounds familiar, we encourage you to bring your spouse or partner along to your hearing test. Communication is a two-way gift, and effort from both sides will establish communication success. The journey from normal hearing, to hearing loss and back tohearing well again, is different for everyone. Walking this journey with someone who cares makes it much easier.

Patient-centred audiologists understand that you need to partner with others in your process of rehabilitation. This is one of the reasons that an audiologist who centres management around you and your family, makes such a difference to your experience. Our audiologists believe in placing your hearing needs with your partner, family, friends, and daily environments at the centre of our guidance for your goals and management. We can bring an extra sense of support to you, as you improve your communication, together.

Written by:
Anne Budden

We may think that hearing is all about our ears, but in fact they simply serve as starting point to a much more complex processing system. They are the auditory information paths to our brains!

Your brain is a very efficient organ; no space goes unused and your brain wastes no time reorganizing itself and “cleaning house” so to speak. When one system is not operating at its normal capacity, the brain literally changes in physical structure and function to adapt to the lack of stimulation. Auditory deprivation leads to neural atrophy, which can change the way you process information.

Our patients tell us “I can hear people speaking in a group, but I just can’t make out what they are saying…” “The television is loud, but the words are unclear”

When we are deprived of sound for a few years our nerves lose some of their ability to carry accurate information, which ultimately may leave our speech recognition in real trouble. When we amplify sound, we increase audibility, but if this is done years after the onset of hearing loss, the benefits may be more limited. Therefore, early intervention is quite important.

When we have lost hearing and we re-introduce sound, we need time for our brains to acclimatise and use sound effectively again, particularly if we have been starved of sound for a long period of time. With a gentle introduction to new sound, and consistent use,1. the brain becomes better at processing sound information.

Research on using hearing instruments shows that, as with any form of ‘training’ (just like exercise), you can reach your best potential. You just need to start, and commit to consistency.

Written by:
Natalie Buttress

About 4 months ago, my right ear started to quietly sing in the background. I have had occasional ringing in either ear before, but this was constant. I can’t identify the exact day that it began, but I can say that it was a “sudden onset”. At first, I ignored it, because I assumed it would go away. But it didn’t. In fact, it began to fluctuate and even get louder! Gradually, it began to annoy me. At the end of each day, I was irritated with it and snappy at my family. I couldn’t hear well either, because the incessant noise got in the way. I couldn’t fall asleep at night and I was tired and suffering from poorer concentration in the day.

People may say that there is nothing that can be done about tinnitus. This is a myth. A LOT can be done to help.

Firstly, tinnitus, should always be assessed by an audiologist. My hearing showed a slight drop in the conduction of sound at just one frequency on my right ear. Tinnitus and hearing loss go hand in hand, about 80% of the time. I had also had loads of stress and neck tension, so I received some physiotherapy. I checked my vitamin D and began a course of supplements. Lastly, I had my teeth checked, because when I’m stressed, I grind at night.

My tinnitus is better, but not gone. I am currently managing myself according to audiological best practice with sound management and relaxation techniques (and cold add cognitive behavioural therapy if necessary). Most importantly, I am working on my peace and acceptance of what is, rather than trying to find a single magic bullet. The most important management of tinnitus is to engage techniques that divert the focus of the conscious mind, on the tinnitus.

Many hearing aids come with feedback cancellation, but this doesn’t completely safeguard you from feedback.
A number of things can cause your hearing aids to whistle. Here are the most common reasons for feedback and how to resolve it.

Do you experience the symptom of tinnitus? Audiologists in our network can help you. We rule out any cause that needs further medical intervention, and provide you with supportive management techniques. Don’t give up, and don’t believe that nothing can be done. Contact one of our audiologists and get help.

Written by:
Natalie Buttress