Do you hear a teapot whistling?
Whistling, buzzing, chirping, or static sounds are words that patients often use to describe “feedback” or sounds coming from their hearing aids. These sounds, or feedback, are caused by many factors including a blockage in the ear canal, loose fitting mold or tip, as well as too much volume in the high frequency ranges to name a few. Feedback was quite common in the past with earlier analog hearing aid technology, as well as with the first several generations of digital hearing aid technology.
In fact, feedback was often the reason that patients years ago would state as to the reason why they chose not to wear their hearing aids. Also, family members might have heard the feedback, even though a patient might not, due to the patients severity of hearing loss.
Over the last few years, there are significant solutions to resolve feedback issues. Advances in signal processing of the digital hearing aids can measure the frequencies causing the feedback . Digital technology can also resolve feedback via discrete measurements or calibration of the amplification during the fitting process.
Our practice and staff pay close attention to feedback issues in efforts that you don’t hear the “whistling of a teapot”, unless in fact you have a teapot on the stove…. It’s what we do….:)
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