You put both hearing aids in, but one side sounds quieter, sharper, or simply not quite right. Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound in a way that feels natural, so an imbalance between them is worth a closer look.
At Illini Hearing, owner and board-certified hearing instrument specialist Andy Bierbaum, BC-HIS, and hearing instrument specialist Ashley Macdonald, HIS, help patients in Champaign and Mahomet determine whether the difference comes from maintenance needs, programming, fit, or a change in their hearing. Most patients can start troubleshooting at home, then seek professional care if the difference persists.
Could Your Hearing Aids Be Set to Sound Different Intentionally?
Your hearing aids could be set to sound different intentionally, because your ears may have different degrees or patterns of hearing loss that each call for a different amount of amplification. A difference between hearing aids does not automatically mean one is broken. Ear canal shape and earpiece fit also affect the sound that reaches your eardrum.
The goal is comfortable, useful hearing across both ears. Matching the volume numbers or programming exactly may not achieve that goal. One ear may need more help with higher-pitched speech sounds, so the settings on that hearing aid may need to be different from the other.
However, a new or worsening imbalance deserves attention. Earwax, a blocked filter, moisture, or a damaged component may reduce output on one side. Hearing changes can also make settings that were previously appropriate feel uneven.
What Signs Point to an Uneven Pair of Hearing Aids?
The signs that point to an uneven pair of hearing aids include one side sounding louder or softer, distorted speech in one ear, and whistling or dropouts in a single device. Describing the difference clearly helps narrow down the possible cause. Pay attention to whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. Watch for these changes:
- One side seems louder or softer during conversation.
- Speech sounds muffled, sharp, tinny, or distorted in one ear.
- Your own voice sounds hollow or unusually loud on one side.
- One device whistles, hisses, or crackles intermittently.
- Sound cuts out in one hearing aid.
- Phone calls or music sound uneven while everyday conversation sounds balanced.
Whistling may result from a poor fit, wax, or a device problem. A plugged-up sensation with your own voice may relate to how the earpiece seals the ear canal. Hissing may reflect amplified environmental sound or noise generated within the device.
These descriptions are clues, not diagnoses. A louder hearing aid doesn’t necessarily mean clearer speech, and two devices can sound different even when both work. Jot down when the problem began and which situations make it most noticeable.
How Should You Troubleshoot One Hearing Aid at Home?
To troubleshoot one hearing aid at home, check its power, mute setting, program, volume, battery or charge, placement, and wax filter, one step at a time. Start in a quiet room and rule out each possible cause before making further changes. Follow the instructions for your model:
- Confirm each hearing aid is on and has not been muted.
- Check the selected listening program and any separate volume controls.
- Recharge the affected device or replace its disposable battery if needed.
- Confirm each aid is in the correct ear and seated comfortably.
- Inspect the earpiece and wax filter for visible blockage.
- Clean accessible surfaces and replace approved parts as instructed.
Some controls change both aids together, while others adjust each side independently. Return to your prescribed starting settings if you accidentally changed them.
If the issue occurs only during streaming, compare it with normal conversation and follow your manufacturer’s connection troubleshooting. That distinction can help identify a wireless problem.
Avoid swapping hearing aids between ears as a home test. Settings and earpieces may differ by side. Don’t insert sharp objects into sound openings, force parts apart, or repeatedly increase volume to overcome muffled sound. Schedule an appointment with Andy Bierbaum or Ashley Macdonald if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
How Do Our Champaign Specialists Track Down an Uneven Sound?
Our Champaign hearing instrument specialists track down an uneven sound by checking your hearing aids and your hearing separately. The visit typically begins with questions about the sound difference, when it occurs, recent maintenance, and whether symptoms persist without the devices. Bring both hearing aids and describe any situations that consistently trigger the problem.
A look in the ear can reveal wax or other concerns that may interfere with hearing. Updated hearing tests can compare each ear’s sensitivity and speech understanding with previous results. When findings suggest a medical issue, a referral to a physician or ENT specialist, who may perform middle ear testing, may be appropriate.
Device checks may include inspecting microphones, speakers, filters, tubing, and earpieces. Testing in a hearing aid test box can measure output and identify performance problems that call for hearing aid repair.
How Do You Keep Both Hearing Aids Performing Reliably Day to Day?
You keep both hearing aids performing reliably day to day with daily cleaning, separate filter checks, and regular follow-up visits, even if their settings stay different. Wipe them daily with a soft, dry cloth and inspect each earpiece for buildup. Check filters individually; one may collect wax faster than the other.
Attend follow-up appointments and report recurring changes in sound or fit. Brief notes on when problems occur help us focus adjustments. The aim is dependable performance tailored to your hearing needs.
Bring Uneven Hearing Aids to Illini Hearing in Champaign or Mahomet
If one hearing aid keeps sounding different, Andy Bierbaum and Ashley Macdonald can help you learn whether the next step is cleaning, adjustments, repair, or further hearing assessment. Bring both hearing aids, your charger (if charging is a concern), and notes on when the difference occurs.
Call our Champaign office at 217-434-4141 or our Mahomet office at 217-600-2589, or contact Illini Hearing to schedule a hearing aid check.