Dr. Mary Swantek

Ask the Audiologist How to Prevent Hearing Aid Feedback

Dear Dr. Mary,

I recently purchased hearing aids, and I used to wear them all the time. However, lately, they have started squealing. Why do I keep hearing this loud buzzing sound from my hearing aid? Other people are noticing it, too. My son said that I sound like a robot whenever he hugs me, because my hearing aid starts screeching. I am not sure what I can do to fix the problem, so I have stopped wearing my hearing aids completely. Now, I can’t hear! Please help me!

Sincerely, Squealing Susan, Woodstock Dear Squealing Susan,

I’m glad you asked this question, as it is one of the most common problems in the world of hearing aids. There are a few reasons a patient may experience this squealing sound, which we generally refer to as feedback. The most likely culprit is that you are not pushing your hearing aid deep enough into your ear. You want to make sure the hearing aid is flush with your ear, and not sticking out at all. If you have already made sure the hearing aid is pushed in deep, earwax may be the culprit. Earwax can prevent the sound from fully reaching your eardrum, and, in turn, cause the feedback. If you have ruled out both possibilities, reach out to your audiologist to help you fix this problem. I hope this helps quiet those hearing aids back down for you! Merry Christmas!

Yours Truly, Dr. Mary Swantek

Dr. Mary Swantek joined North Georgia Audiology in 2019. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University.