Hearing Aid Feedback: What You Can and Cant Fix Yourself

What is feedback?

Hearing aids actually produce three kinds of feedback: acoustical, mechanical and electronic feedback. If the problem is mechanical the mic is transmitting vibrations through the casing of the device you need an adjustment performed by a hearing health care professional.

The second kind of feedback is electrical, coming from the internal circuitry, and again, this requires a trip to a hearing professional.

The third kind of feedback is acoustical feedback, the most common type for hearing aid wearers. This can occur if the amplified sound from the hearing aid speaker is picked up by the hearing aid mic and recycled over and over, louder and louder. This type of feedback you may be able to fix.

Fixing Acoustical Feedback

Here are some common causes of and cures for acoustical feedback:

1. Check for ear wax.
   So, okay, its nobodys favorite job but earwax build-up is a common cause of acoustical feedback. When a sound wave hits a solid block of earwax, that wave shatters, sending sound every which-away.
   
   If ear wax is a problem, use a wax softener and flush the loose ear wax from the ear canal. If this doesnt solve the problem, do NOT start digging away with a hair pin. Youre almost certain to do more damage. Instead, visit a hearing professional to have that nasty earwax excised. That should help with the feedback problem.
   
   
2. Check the fit.
   A loose fitting hearing aid allows amplified sound waves to escape the ear, reach the mic and off we go again in a feedback loop. A remake of your shell or a new ear mold may be necessary to prevent further feedback.
   
   To test the fit of your hearing device, try these steps:
   • Press the hearing aid further into your ear canal. If the feedback stops, a loose fit is most likely your problem.
     
     
   • Place a dab of Vaseline on the part of the device that fits into the ear canal to create a tighter seal. If feedback is reduced, this indicates a loose fit and the need for a refitting.
     
     
   • Try placing soft hearing aid wraps around the canal portion of the hearing aid. These are sponge-like wraps specifically made for hearing aids that adhere to the canal portion of the hearing aid, creating a tighter fit.
     
     
   • Try putting a coating of clear nail polish on the part of the hearing aid that fits in the ear canal. Let it dry! This might just add enough circumference to plug any holes.
   
   
3. Incorrect Speaker Placement
   Sometimes, the feedback problem is caused by the hearing aids speaker being directed towards the ear canal wall. This is a rare cause of feedback but can happen if a person has a sharp bend in their ear canal or if the manufacturer was off on the placement of the speaker. This requires a visit to your hearing health care provider.
   
   
4. Hearing Aid Damage
   This is a common problem for in-the-ear devices that rest within the ear canal that are subjected to more cleaning due to wax. Often times during aggressive cleaning the tubing can become torn or a microphone pushed in, both in which can cause feedback.

Warning

Feedback can be caused by a number of factors some under your control, others not so much. Feedback typically is caused by the higher frequency ranges so some hearing aid wearers may be more susceptible depending upon their hearing loss and model of hearing aid.

If you are experiencing feedback and have ruled out wax or a loose fit, discuss with your hearing health care professional. Feedback issues can be solved, they just may require a few visit to your hearing professional and a little bit of patience.

Like what you’re reading? Visit HealthyHearing for a full featured article on Guide to Coping with Feedback