Signs That You are Wearing an Ill-fitting Hearing Aid

Properly fitted hearing aids should feel snug. No matter how many times you move your head, these rightly fitted devices will stay in place and function as they should. Unfortunately, not everybody experiences this and this can greatly affect the quality of your hearing through your hearing aid. This article will draw your attention to signs to look out for if your hearing aids were not fitted accurately. In most cases, this would require another visit to your hearing instrument specialist (HIS) to rectify the fitting.

Inconsistent Sounds, Static Noises or Silence

For many hearing aids wearers, volume problems show up in the first few days after fitting. This usually happens because the wearers are still learning how to control their new devices. However, if you continue to experience inconsistent sounds with your hearing aids, it could be a telltale sign of an ill-fitted device.

At this stage, it is recommended to visit your hearing instrument specialist instead of attempting to fix the problem yourself. Remember that hearing aids are highly technical devices. Therefore, any trial-and-error activity to resolve the situation can damage the devices.

Apart from the volume inconsistency, the sound may end abruptly when the device isn’t turned off. Instead of performing their function, the hearing aids become empty shells with no sounds flowing through. This occurs due to damage to an internal component of the device. The HIS can determine if the part can be replaced or not. If your case is the latter, you may need a new hearing aid. Sometimes, all it needs is reprogramming, so keep this in mind.

Constant Whistling Sounds from the Device

In this case, hearing aids function, but the feedback is the problem. Whistling sounds can happen because the volume is set too high. It could also be due to damage to a component within, creating an auditory loop. Every hearing aid is fitted with a mini microphone responsible for picking up sounds from the environment. They further transmit these messages into the inner ear. For a person living with hearing loss, amplifying these sounds helps your brain interpret the message received.

However, due to technical glitches, the microphone can convert amplified sounds into continuous loops. This is what causes the ringing or whistling sounds from the hearing aids. Indeed, these whistling sounds are very different from phantom sounds associated with tinnitus. While tinnitus is associated with noises a person hears alone, whistling sounds from a hearing aid can be heard by others if they are close enough.

One way to resolve the situation is to have the hearing aids reprogrammed by the HIS. Better yet, try to turn down the volume of the hearing aids. If the problem persists, it may be advisable to ask for a new set of hearing aids.

It Regularly Slips Out of the Ear

Ideally, these devices should fit snugly and feel comfortable for the wearer. However, if they come out with every movement of your head, it may be time to see the hearing instrument specialist. A loosely fitted hearing aid can easily get lost and become an inconvenience searching for them.

What causes a loose-fitting hearing aid? This happens when the ear is not properly measured at the fitting. Usually, the earlier earmold is the blueprint used to design your hearing aids. If for some reason, it keeps slipping out, you may have no choice but to return them.

Other Causes of Loose-Fitting Hearing Aids

Did you know that your ears change over time to ageing? Therefore, if your first earmold was taken about five to ten years ago, it might be time for another one. Again, research has shown that drastic weight gain and weight loss can contribute to the fit of your earmolds.

Therefore, if you had your mould taken before you gained, the problem may not exactly be with the device. Knowing these dynamics can help you better understand the signs and changes to observe with your hearing aids, so keep this in mind.

Therefore, for the best hearing aid technology, you can visit Nu-Life Hearing Centre or call us on (855) 867-7449.