Hearing Aids Noise: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

When your hearing aids noise, unwanted sounds like whistling, buzzing, or amplified background chatter that disrupt clear hearing. Also known as hearing aid feedback, it’s one of the most common complaints people have after getting hearing aids—even when they work perfectly otherwise. This isn’t a defect. It’s a mismatch between your device, your ear shape, and how your brain processes sound after years of hearing loss.

Most of the time, the noise comes from sound leaking out of your ear canal and bouncing back into the hearing aid microphone. That’s feedback. It’s like a microphone too close to a speaker. But it’s not always that simple. Sometimes, the noise is your brain finally hearing sounds it’s ignored for years—like the hum of a refrigerator, footsteps on hardwood, or even your own breathing. That’s not the hearing aid failing. It’s your nervous system catching up.

Other issues like constant buzzing or static might point to tinnitus with hearing aids, a ringing or hissing sound that becomes more noticeable when background noise is amplified. Many people with hearing loss also have tinnitus, and while hearing aids can mask it, poor fitting or wrong settings can make it worse. Then there’s hearing aid settings, the software configurations that control volume, frequency response, and noise filtering. If these aren’t tuned to your specific hearing profile, your device might over-amplify wind, traffic, or even the sound of your own voice. And don’t overlook noise reduction hearing aids, devices with built-in algorithms that distinguish speech from background noise. Not all hearing aids have this, and even those that do need proper calibration.

What fixes this? Often, it’s not a new device. It’s a simple adjustment. A professional cleaning can remove wax blocking the speaker. A better-fitting ear mold can stop sound leakage. A reprogramming session can lower gain in certain frequencies. Some people need to switch from behind-the-ear to in-the-ear models. Others just need to learn how to turn down the volume in noisy places—something most hearing aids let you do manually.

There’s no one-size-fits-all fix. But the good news? Almost every case of hearing aids noise can be solved. You don’t have to live with whistling, buzzing, or overwhelming background noise. The tools exist. The expertise is out there. What you need is the right person to guide you through the steps.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how to identify the source of your hearing aid noise, what settings to tweak, when to see a specialist, and how newer models handle sound differently. These aren’t marketing fluff. They’re practical fixes from people who’ve been there.