Can Hearing Aids Cause Headaches?

If you are experiencing hearing loss, you may be wondering what the right course of action may be. There are ways to slow down the progression of hearing loss, as well as treatments that can improve your hearing ability. One of the most common remedies are hearing aids. These electronic devices sit behind or inside the ear and amplify external sounds.

There are a lot of myths and rumors about hearing aids that may leave you uncertain as to whether they are right for you. One common question is whether or not they cause the user to have headaches.

Fortunately, there is no reason a hearing aid should directly cause headaches but if you are experiencing aches or pains, it may be due to how you are wearing it. A minor adjustment may be all it takes to ensure optimum comfort.

Poor Fit

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to hearing aids. Everyone is different in shape and size and therefore a hearing device must be fitted correctly. If it is too loose or too tight, it may be causing discomfort which could be the cause of your headaches. This is common in over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids which are not customized to the user and cannot be adjusted. If you are obtaining a hearing aid, it is essential you have it fitted so it sits correctly on your ear and is comfortable.

Inadequate Sound Quality

A hearing aid often takes some adjustment to ensure it is picking up and amplifying sounds correctly. A device that has not been adjusted prior to use may excessively amplify high intensity sounds, leading to an unpleasant high-pitched screeching noise, which will no doubt cause headaches if persistent. Inadequate sound quality could also make low volume sounds inaudible, in which case straining to hear conversation may further the discomfort.

Wrong Volume

Most quality hearing aids allow the user to adjust the volume in different situations. For example, in crowded areas or places with loud music you may wish to turn it down. Conversely, if you are watching TV or trying to hear a conversation you want the volume louder. Getting the volume right may take some getting used to, and if it is too high or low for the situation you may end up with headaches. Once you become more accustomed to the hearing aid over time this will vanish.

Feedback Noise

In some situations, certain hearing aids may pick up and amplify background noises like winds. This can result in annoying loud feedback noise that may be the root of your headaches.

How to Have Your Hearing Aid Adjusted

The best way to avoid the possibility of headaches as a result of your hearing aids is to have
them correctly adjusted. This should occur when you first acquire the devices, but if discomfort and headaches persist you may need to take them back for further adjustment. After all, your hearing aids are an essential part of your life and you don’t want them to be uncomfortable or irritating.

Visit your audiologist to describe the experience you are having. They will know exactly what the issue is and how to remedy it. They may take molds of your ear in order to fashion a custom hearing device with the perfect fit. This will prevent any further headaches.

They will also be able to adjust the volume and settings to ensure you don’t receive any unpleasant feedback and can hear everything clearly. This will allow you to distinguish between unnecessary background noise and the sounds you want to hear, such as conversation and music.

Many modern hearing aids actually make automatic adjustments while you wear them, which switch settings between different environments. This will allow you to hear a low volume telephone conversation just as loudly as a noisy action film in the cinema. To get these settings perfectly aligned may require multiple visits to the audiologist in order to ensure the hearing aid is perfect for you and your lifestyle.

If your hearing loss is significant, these adjustments may be implemented in multiple stages to allow you and your brain to become gradually accustomed to the changes and adapt more easily to louder sounds.

Get in Touch

If you are experiencing headaches or any other form of discomfort with your hearing aids, there is no need to tolerate it. We can help advise on the appropriate adjustments, as well as guidance on choosing and using your hearing device. You can reach the team at Texas Professional Hearing Center by calling us today at (281) 420-8033.