7 Reasons Why Your Hearing Aids Are Whistling
Have you noticed a whistling sound from your hearing aids? This guide breaks down seven possible causes and solutions so you can get back to living and hearing your best.
Published 9/19/2025,
Updated 12/9/2025
2 min read
Reviewed by
HearUSA editorial team
Hearing aidsTips and tricks
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Understanding why hearing aids whistle
Why do hearing aids whistle?
If you notice a whistling sound in your hearing aids, you’re definitely not alone. It’s known as hearing aid feedback, and it’s a high-pitched noise that can occur when sound that should go into your ear canal slips out and is detected by the microphone of your hearing aids and gets amplified.1
This is different from tinnitus, where you hear a high-pitched noise coming from inside your ear. Hearing aid feedback is common and often easy to fix. Here are seven possible reasons for whistling and what you can do about it.
How to stop hearing aid feedback
Reason 1: Improper fit
Interestingly, your ear canals can change shape over time. For example, weight changes can cause earmolds to lose their secure fit. When earmolds become loose, sound may escape and be picked up by your hearing aids’ microphones, causing feedback.4
Solution: Fitted earmolds
Get new earmolds fitted to your ears so that they sit snugly. If you’re unsure, visit your hearing care professional for guidance and support.
Widex Moment RIC with fitted earmolds
Reason 2: Earwax or debris buildup
“If your ear canal is blocked with wax, sound from your hearing aids can bounce off the wax and back into the microphone, causing feedback or a whistling noise,” says clinical audiologist S. Hiotis.
Solution: Examination and Cleaning
Have your ears examined and cleaned by a health professional, and also check your hearing aids to make sure the receivers and vents (tiny openings in the hearing aid tubes) are not clogged1. You can also check the filters inside the speakers. When the wax filters get clogged, sound is reduced or cannot come out.
It's best to have the wax professionally removed for clear, comfortable hearing.
S. Hioti
Clinical audiologist
Earwax cleaning evaluation with audiologist
Find an audiologist near you
Reason 3: Damage to hearing aid tubing
In some hearing aids, wear and tear can cause the tube that connects to the earmold to become hard and shrink. The tubing then starts to pull the earmold, which can disturb the snug fit. In addition, the tube can also become damaged from general use. A small tear in the tube can cause sound to “leak”, which causes feedback.
Solution: Replace tube
Visit your hearing center to arrange a replacement tube.1
Reason 4: Volume set too high
While it can be tempting to turn up the sound, setting the volume on your devices too high can cause sound to re-enter your hearing aids and cause feedback.1
Solution: Adjust volume
Turn down the volume of your hearing aids and avoid the point where the sound becomes so loud that it creates feedback. Modern hearing aids feature advanced technology that reduces feedback.
If you find that you would like the volume of your hearing aids turned up, follow up with your audiologist to fine-tune your hearing aid settings for best results.
Adjusted volume of hearing aids reduces feedback in conversations
Reason 5: Incorrect insertion
If you’re new to wearing hearing aids, or you’ve switched to a new style, rest assured that a period of adjustment is completely normal. Still, it’s important to check that your device is properly inserted.
If your hearing aids aren’t fitting just right, sound can get out and be picked up again through the microphones, which leads to a whistling sound
S. Hiotis
Clinical audiologist
Solution
Here are some tips on inserting in-the-ear and completely-in-canal hearing aid models2
Correct sides
Identify the left (blue) and right (red) devices
Handling
Hold your hearing aids between your thumb and forefinger
Inserting
Gently insert it into your ear canal, following the natural shape, until snug with the wire sitting flush against the outer ear
Reason 6: Your hearing has changed
"Whistling can also happen depending on the kind and severity of your hearing loss," says Hiotis. "As your hearing changes over time, it can affect how your hearing aids sound."
Solution: Visit us
If home cleaning and maintenance aren’t helping you enjoy clear and comfortable sound, consult an audiologist for personalized advice.
You may need a different dome or even a custom earmold for a better seal and to help prevent feedback. Switching to a better fitting option often solves the problem.
S. Hioti
Clinical audiologist
Product fitting introduction with audiologist
Reason 7: Technical malfunction
Technical issues can also emerge, such as loose or displaced microphones, or damage to the amplifier or receiver3. These can be caused by everyday wear, missed maintenance, or accidents.
Solution: Contact your hearing care professional
Nobody likes a technical malfunction, especially not with hearing aids. Reach out to your hearing care professional so they can help you investigate and ensure your hearing aids are correctly adjusted or repaired.
Sources:
1. Widex: 5 Reasons why your hearing aids are whistling:
https://www.widex.com/en-ca/blog/global/5-reasons-why-your-hearing-aids-are-whistling/
2. HearUSA: How to Use and Wear Signia Hearing Aids | HearUSA Support: https://www.hearusa.com/support/signia/use-and-wear/#inserting-signia-hearing-aids
3. Independent Hearing: 7 Reasons Why Your Hearing Aids are Whistling: https://www.ihearing.com.au/7-reasons-why-your-hearing-aids-are-whistling/
4. Surmeli M, Deveci I, Canakci H, Canpolat MS, Karabulut B, Yilmaz AAS. Effect of Body Mass Index on Auricular Morphology and Auditory Functions. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2019;98(7):E81-E86. doi:10.1177/0145561319840579
1. Widex: 5 Reasons why your hearing aids are whistling:
https://www.widex.com/en-ca/blog/global/5-reasons-why-your-hearing-aids-are-whistling/
2. HearUSA: How to Use and Wear Signia Hearing Aids | HearUSA Support: https://www.hearusa.com/support/signia/use-and-wear/#inserting-signia-hearing-aids
3. Independent Hearing: 7 Reasons Why Your Hearing Aids are Whistling: https://www.ihearing.com.au/7-reasons-why-your-hearing-aids-are-whistling/
4. Surmeli M, Deveci I, Canakci H, Canpolat MS, Karabulut B, Yilmaz AAS. Effect of Body Mass Index on Auricular Morphology and Auditory Functions. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2019;98(7):E81-E86. doi:10.1177/0145561319840579
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