TROUBLESHOOTING: What do I do if my hearing aids are whistling/squealing?

4 days ago
2 min read

A high-pitched squealing or whistling sound coming from your hearing aids is called feedback. This is usually caused by sound escaping from your ear and being picked up again by the hearing aid microphone.

Use the following steps to help you troubleshoot at home.

Man with a silver hearing aid fit in his ear.

Check the fit of your hearing aid in your ear

Make sure your hearing aid or ear mold is properly inserted, and sitting snugly in your ear.
Remove and re-insert if needed - a loose fit or shallow insertion often causes feedback.

Remove and re-insert your hearing aids after putting on glasses or masks

Glasses, masks, and hats may shift the hearing aid's position causing sound leakage.
Try putting your hearing aids in after adjusting your glasses or mask.

Clean your hearing aid

Change the dome and wax filter or clean your earmold.
- Even if you have recently cleaned your hearing aids, it only takes a small amount of wax or debris to cause a blockage in your wax filter.

Check your hearing aid volume

If the volume on your hearing aids is turned up too loud, sound can leak and cause feedback.
Lower the volume to see if the feedback stops.

Have your ears checked for ear wax

Ear wax buildup can reflect amplified sound back into the hearing aid.
If you suspect wax in your ear canal, book an appointment to confirm if wax is present with otoscopy.