Sharp, tinny, or lopsided sound can make hearing aids feel more like a distraction than a help. Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound in a way that feels natural, so if one sounds different or less clear than the other, it should be examined.
At Centrum Hearing & Audiology, clinical audiologist Ronald James Conlin, M.S., evaluates your hearing and your devices to determine whether the difference comes from maintenance needs, programming, fit, or a change in your ears. Most patients can start troubleshooting at home, then visit our Pocatello office or Soda Springs specialty clinic if the difference persists.
Why Doesn’t Matching the Volume Numbers Fix Uneven Sound?
Matching the volume numbers doesn’t fix uneven sound because each ear may have a different degree or pattern of hearing loss, so each hearing aid may need 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, and identical volume or programming may not achieve it. 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 Clues Help Explain a Hissing or Whistling Hearing Aid?
Whistling may point to a poor fit, wax, or a device problem, while hissing may reflect amplified environmental sound or noise generated within the device. Describing the difference clearly helps narrow down the possible cause. Notice whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. You may experience:
- 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.
A plugged-up sensation with your own voice may relate to how the earpiece seals the ear canal.
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. Note when the problem began and which situations make it most noticeable.
Should You Swap Hearing Aids Between Ears to Test Them?
You shouldn’t swap hearing aids between ears to test them, because settings and earpieces may differ by side; a few safe checks are a better place to start. Work in a quiet room and test one possible cause at a time 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.
Don’t insert sharp objects into sound openings, force parts apart, or repeatedly increase volume to overcome muffled sound. Schedule an appointment with Ron Conlin if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
Why Retest Your Hearing in Pocatello When One Hearing Aid Sounds Off?
Retesting your hearing matters when one hearing aid sounds off, because a change in either ear can make settings that once fit well feel uneven, and Ron Conlin evaluates your ears and both devices separately to find out. 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.
An ear examination can identify wax or other concerns that may interfere with hearing, and earwax removal may follow if wax is the cause. Updated hearing tests can compare each ear’s sensitivity and speech understanding with previous results. Middle ear testing or referral to an ENT may be appropriate when findings suggest a medical issue.
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.
Why Does One Wax Filter Clog Faster Than the Other?
One wax filter can clog faster than the other because each side may collect wax at a different rate, so checking filters individually is part of keeping both hearing aids working consistently. Consistent care helps both devices perform reliably, even if their settings stay different. Wipe them daily with a soft, dry cloth and inspect each earpiece for buildup.
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.
Let Ron Conlin Pinpoint Uneven Hearing Aid Sound in Pocatello
If your hearing aids still sound uneven after basic checks, Ron Conlin can determine whether the next step is maintenance, 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 208-915-8574 for our Pocatello office on Yellowstone Avenue or our Soda Springs specialty clinic, or contact us online to schedule an evaluation.