Recognizing Signs That Your Hearing Aid Needs Refitting

From the moment that individuals first wear hearing aids, your audiologist ensures that they’re a comfortable fit and that they meet your needs. However, our ear shape can change over time as individuals age, and they may even encounter different life circumstances that change our needs and preferences.

For instance, you may start to work out more with your hearing aids on. As a result, the sweat produced around your ears could make them slip out more easily. Similarly, you might find that your hearing aids aren’t as secure as you’d like when jogging, causing them to easily fall out. Some people may even experience discomfort over a long period of time when wearing their hearing aids – and issue that isn’t immediately obvious when you first try them on.

Whether you’re thinking of getting hearing aids or have recently received a pair, here are some signs that will help you tell if your hearing aids need to be refitted.

Your Hearing Aids Feel Uncomfortable to Wear

It’s generally considered a good idea to spend more time with your audiologist when picking hearing aids because comfort is an important factor. However, it’s hard to tell whether your hearing aids will be comfortable in the long term as it can take weeks or even months of wearing before you notice any signs of discomfort.

If you’re experiencing any kind of pain or discomfort when wearing your hearing aids, then it’s worth speaking with your audiologist again to see what the problem could be. It may just be a case of wearing the hearing aids incorrectly, or it might be due to other ear-related problems that occurred because of your hearing aids being worn more regularly. Your audiologist will assess your situation and make adjustments if needed. They may recommend new hearing aids, or they could change the size and shape of the hearing aid if applicable.

You Hear Feedback or Whistling Noises

Feedback is when sounds loop through the speaker in the hearing aid back to the microphone. This can occur with hearing aids because the speaker is so close to the microphone, which is necessary in order for the hearing aid to function. However, if the hearing aid doesn’t fit correctly, then the shape of your ear canal can direct the sound from the speaker in your ear back to the microphone on the outside of the hearing aid.

Refitting your hearing aid will most likely fix any feedback or whistling noises, but there’s also a possibility that the hearing aid itself is faulty. It’s best to speak to your audiologist if this becomes a problem for you.

Your Hearing Aids Slip or Fall Out

Lastly, if your hearing aids constantly slip or fall out during daily wear, then it’s likely that they aren’t fitted correctly. This may happen if you haven’t tested your hearing aids much outside of sitting or standing at the clinic where your audiologist first provided you with them. Movement can generally cause your hearing aids to move around slightly inside of your ears, hence why they might slip or fall out.

If you are noticing issues with the fit of your hearing aids, contact your audiologist. They will be able to make the necessary adjustments to make sure you have a comfortable fit.