Why do my hearing aids whistle?
Hearing aids can whistle or produce feedback for several reasons. It can sound like a whistle, squeal, screech, loud buzz, or hiss. One common cause is a poor fit or improper placement of the hearing aid in the ear canal. When the hearing aid is not fitted properly, sound can leak out of the ear and back into the microphone, causing a whistle or feedback. Another cause of feedback is a blockage or buildup of earwax in the ear canal. Earwax can prevent the hearing aid from fitting snugly in the ear, causing sound to leak out and feedback to occur. Additionally, feedback can occur when the volume of the hearing aid is too high, or when the hearing aid is too close to a sound source, such as a phone or another person’s voice. Problems with the electrical circuits in the hearing aids can also cause electronic feedback. Modern digital hearing aids are designed to minimize feedback through advanced signal processing algorithms and feedback cancellation technology.