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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. Read the announcement
Hearing Loss
August 14, 2024
5 Min

9 Reasons Your Hearing Aids Whistle and How to Stop It

If you're a hearing aid user, you may have experienced that uncomfortable whistling sound, commonly known as feedback. Find out what to do when that happens!

Author:
Nicole Brener
9 Reasons Your Hearing Aids Whistle and How to Stop It
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If you're a hearing aid user, you may have experienced that uncomfortable whistling sound, commonly known as feedback. This high-pitched noise occurs when amplified sound from the hearing aid speaker cycles back through the microphone, creating a loop. It's similar to the sound you might hear in public venues when someone holding a microphone gets too close to a speaker.

What Causes Hearing Aids to Whistle?

Here are 9 common reasons why your hearing aids might whistle:

1. Improper Insertion

If your hearing aid isn’t inserted correctly, it can create an improper acoustic seal, leading to sound leakage and feedback. 

2. Poor Fit

A poorly fitting hearing aid, whether due to the wrong type of dome or an incorrectly sized earmold vent, can cause sound to leak out of the ear canal and be picked up by the microphone again.

3. High Compression Settings

High compression settings in your hearing aids can sometimes amplify quiet sounds to a level that escapes the ear canal and is picked up by the microphone, especially if the fit is not ideal or the feedback management system struggles to handle the sound.

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4. Excessive Earwax Buildup

Earwax buildup in your ear canal can cause amplified sound to reflect back into the hearing aid, leading to feedback.

5. Ineffective Feedback Management

Feedback management systems in hearing aids are designed to minimize feedback by reducing amplification in certain frequency ranges or by emitting a counter sound wave. However, if this system is not set up correctly or is too weak, feedback can still occur. Make sure your audiologist configures this properly during your fitting.

6. Tube Shrinking

In behind-the-ear hearing aids, the tubing can shrink over time, creating a gap that leads to feedback.

7. Short Receiver Wires

If the wire connecting your hearing aid to the receiver is too short, it can pull the ear dome out of place, creating a gap and causing feedback. 

8. Changes in Ear Canal Size

Your ear canal can change size over time, especially if you've lost or gained a significant amount of weight. This can cause an old earmold to no longer fit properly, leading to sound leakage. 

9. Cracks in the Tube or Earmold

Cracks or damage in the tubing or earmold can allow amplified sound to leak out and cause feedback. 

Tips to Prevent Whistling in Your Hearing Aids

Here are some practical steps you can take to minimize the chances of hearing aid feedback:

  • Insert your hearing aids correctly to create a good seal and prevent sound leakage.
  • Regularly cleaning your ears by a professional can keep your ear canals clear and reduce the chances of feedback.
  • Check for cracks or damage in the tubing, earmold, or other components, and replace them as needed.
  • Regular check-ups can help ensure that your hearing aids are working correctly and that the feedback management system is properly set up.
  • If your ear canal has changed in size, you may need a new dome or earmold to maintain a proper fit.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of hearing aid feedback and enjoy clearer, more comfortable hearing. It’s important to work with your hearing care professional to identify these potential issues before they worsen. 

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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. 
‍Read the announcement

9 Reasons Your Hearing Aids Whistle and How to Stop It

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.