If you’ve tried the fixes below and the whistling continues, we can look at the fit and the aid itself as part of our hearing aid repairs service.
What is feedback?
A hearing aid picks up sound with a microphone, amplifies it and plays it into your ear. If some of that amplified sound escapes and reaches the microphone again, it gets amplified again, and the loop builds into a whistle. Anything that lets sound leak, or that sends it straight back towards the microphone, can set it off.
The usual causes
The aid isn’t sitting properly. If the dome or earmould isn’t pushed fully into the ear, sound escapes around it. Take the aid out and put it back in gently, following your fitting instructions.
Wax in your ear. A canal partly blocked with wax reflects sound back out towards the aid. This is a very common cause, and it can come on gradually. If you’ve also noticed your hearing seems duller, wax is a likely culprit. Don’t try to dig it out yourself, as the ear canal is easy to damage. We offer earwax removal by microsuction.
A worn dome, tube or earmould. Domes soften and tubes harden with age. An earmould that was made some years ago may no longer fit well, because the shape of the ear changes slightly over time, for example after weight loss. A looser fit lets sound escape.
The volume is too high. If the aid is turned up beyond what it was set for, it is more likely to whistle.
Something is close to the aid. Putting a hand, hat, scarf or phone close to the ear can reflect sound back into the microphone and cause a temporary whistle. If it only happens in those moments, it’s a normal reaction.
Your hearing has changed. If your hearing has dropped, the aid may need more gain than it was set for, which makes feedback more likely. A hearing test will show whether it needs reprogramming.
Damage or a fault. A cracked casing, a split tube or a damaged component can all let sound leak.
Quick fixes to try
- Remove the aid and reinsert it carefully.
- Turn the volume down a little and see if the whistle goes.
- Clean the dome, tube and sound outlet and replace the wax guard if needed.
- Check for cracks or splits in the tube or earmould.
- Check whether the whistle only happens when you cover your ear.
When to get it looked at
If the whistling is constant, if it returns soon after you’ve fixed it, or if the aid looks damaged, it’s time for professional help. Depending on the cause, that might mean having wax removed, fitting new domes or tubing, a new earmould, a reprogramme, or a repair. If the aid has gone quiet rather than noisy, our guide on what to check when a hearing aid isn’t working may help.
Whistling that won't go away? See how our repair service works and send us an enquiry.
Hearing aid repairs
