5 Signs Your Hearing Aid is Ill-fitting (and What To Do About It)

A while back, you finally did it- you got hearing aids.

You may have been tired of filling in the communication blanks in noisy social or business settings and pretending to hear questions, then crossing your fingers that the “yes” or “no” you said was the right answer to what you thought you heard.

So, after much thought, you decided hearing aids would alleviate much of your communication stress.

But now, after getting your aids, you’re unsure you made the right choice. Do you wonder if an aid should be this much work to keep in your ear? And, should it be uncomfortable or buzz?

The answer is no, and ill-fitting aids could be why you’re not receiving the best hearing aid experience.

Here are common signs of a poor hearing aid fit and what you can do about each issue:

Your hearing aid always makes an odd noise.

If your aid makes any loud or aggravating sounds, it could be ill-fitting. Your aid should clearly and comfortably amplify sound without giving you feedback or whistling.

Make an appointment with Hearing Aids of Sarasota or Doc Side Audiology in Longboat Key for a fitting adjustment and to adjust the settings for better sound quality. If you have continued issues, we can help you find a different style or sized aid and fit it correctly from the start!

Your hearing aid frequently falls out.

If it’s challenging to keep your hearing aids in place, it’s almost a sure sign you need to see us for a fitting adjustment.

A snug fit is crucial to get the most optimal sound quality. Different earplugs or wax guards could do the trick to keep your devices where they belong.

You’re experiencing issues with earwax buildup.

If you’re finding that your ears are producing excess wax, it can not only be unsightly but also cause your aids to fit poorly and become damaged. Not to mention, excess wax can cause more hearing loss.

The wax issue is a bit of a catch-22. Your ears naturally want to push wax out of the ear canal, but your aids block that process. Also, hearing aids can stimulate the ceruminous gland in your ear canal, signaling it to produce more wax than normal.

A good seal is essential for the best listening experience by allowing sound to be directed into the ear canal. If the wax is causing you woes, we’d encourage you to see us. An audiologist can safely remove the wax and assess how wax may be impacting your fit.

You’re not wearing your aids as often as you should be.

Maybe you haven’t put the two together, but if you’re finding you leave your aids out more than you put them in, it’s probably because there’s some discomfort or challenge to wearing them for long periods of time.

We can schedule an appointment to look at your fitting. Then, when you come in, we’ll troubleshoot together, so you can get back to confident hearing and communication.

You are experiencing pain or tenderness in your ear.

You’ve bought shoes before that you had to “break in” to walk in comfortably, but your aid, apart from slight discomfort in the first few days, should wear comfortably. You don’t have to live with painful aids: An audiologist can look at your ear and your aid’s fit to address your discomfort concerns.

Hearing Aids of Sarasota and Doc Side Audiology are here to help you!

No one aid fits all, and getting the right hearing aid involves a trained audiologist. For help with your ill-fitting hearing aids, we’d invite you to call us at (941) 366-2240 or schedule an appointment with us. Your hearing happiness is our goal!