When you get your hearing aids for the first time, it can be a bit challenging to adapt. It’s likely that you’ll hear many new noises that you’re not used to. One sound that may hinder your willingness to wear your hearing aids often is an echoing sound.
The Distortion
When you speak to others with your new hearing aids in, it may sound as if you’re talking through a barrel. Most people who put in hearing aids for the first time haven’t heard their voices in a long time. It can be challenging, at first, to hear your voice as you speak. Remember that your hearing aids are there to amplify the sounds produced around you.
The Occlusion Effect
Many people don’t realize that they feel fullness in their ears when they talk. This is the sound waves trapped within the ear. This can be due to the hearing aid blocking their way of getting out. This pressure will cause your voice to sound somewhat ‘boomy’. Many people notice that activities like chewing will create a loud sound. Those without hearing aids can hear this noise by using their fingers to block their ears.
How to Fix Hearing Aid Echoing
Issues of echoing and quality issues with your own voice aren’t anything new. Many hearing aid users experience this and ask their hearing care professional to fix it. There are a few approaches that you can take to reduce the echo you hear while improving your hearing loss.
First, your hearing care professional will adjust the settings on your hearing aids. They may reduce the loudness at the frequency that you hear your voice to help reduce the echo. Depending on your type of hearing loss, you may be able to switch the type of hearing device that you’re using.
An open-fit hearing aid is best for those who don’t have severe hearing loss. Thanks to a hollow ear mold, the sound pressure will be able to escape the inner ear. This reduces the echoing that you hear when you talk. For existing hearing aids, venting is another great option. Having space for the sound wave pressure to escape will release trapped vibrations. It also reduces the way that you hear your voice.
Adjusting settings and using hearing aids that meet your needs are great ways to start. But, there’s always going to be a need for the brain to take some time to adjust. Adapting to a different sound quality is going to take time and patience. With the support of your hearing professional, you can adapt to life with hearing devices.
Call Us Today
If you’re struggling with hearing echoes, it’s time to contact us. Let our helpful hearing care professionals help you today. We can get your hearing aids adjusted to meet your individualized needs.
