How to Know If Your Hearing Aids Need an Adjustment
If your hearing aids don’t sound as clear as they used to, feel uncomfortable, or aren’t performing as well in noisy places, you may need a hearing aid adjustment. Over time, your hearing, lifestyle, and even the fit of your hearing aids can change, making professional adjustments an important part of getting the best possible hearing experience.
Most hearing aid adjustments are quick and straightforward. The challenge is knowing when your hearing aids are telling you it’s time for one. In this article, we’ll walk through the most common signs your hearing aids need attention, what an adjustment appointment involves, and how often you should expect to go in.
Key Takeaways
- Muffled, unclear, or changed sound quality is one of the most common signs that an adjustment is overdue.
- Feedback and whistling can signal a fit issue or a change in ear canal shape. Both issues can most likely be fixed with an appointment.
- Discomfort or soreness from your hearing aids is never something you should just push through.
- Struggling more than usual in noisy environments may mean your program settings need to be updated.
- A change in your hearing – even a gradual one will affect how your devices perform and may require reprogramming.
- Most adjustments are covered under your hearing aid warranty or service plan at Hearing Solutions.
How Hearing Aid Adjustments Work
When you’re first fitted with hearing aids, your clinician programs them based on your hearing test results and your personal listening preferences. But this initial fitting is a starting point, not the final word.
Over time, your hearing can change, the shape of your ear canal can shift slightly, your lifestyle may be different, and your hearing aids may no longer be programmed for your current needs. A hearing aid adjustment – sometimes called a fine-tuning or service appointment, is where your clinician uses specialized software to review and update your device settings to match your current needs.
Adjustments can include changes to volume levels, frequency response, noise reduction settings, directional microphone behaviour, or the physical fit of the device in or behind your ear. In many cases, it only takes 15–30 minutes.
8 Signs Your Hearing Aids Need an Adjustment
1. Sounds Seem Muffled, Flat, or Less Clear Than Before
If speech and sounds that used to be crisp now seem dull or muffled, something has changed. It could be your hearing, your hearing aid settings, the physical condition of your devices, or even a buildup of ear wax.
Before booking an appointment, check the basics. Clean the microphone ports and receiver, replace the wax guard if needed, and make sure the dome or earmold is free of wax buildup. Earwax can also build up in your ear canal, blocking sound and making your hearing aids seem quieter or less clear than they really are.
If the problem persists after cleaning, it’s time to see your clinician. They can determine whether your hearing aids need an adjustment or if earwax, changes in your hearing, or another issue is affecting their performance. This is one of the most common reasons people book an unscheduled appointment.
For more information on how to clean and maintain your hearing aids at home, read our full article.
2. Feedback, Whistling, or Static
Occasional feedback when putting in or removing your hearing aids is normal. But if you’re experiencing persistent whistling, buzzing, or static during regular use, that’s a red flag.
Feedback typically means sound is leaking out of the ear canal and being picked back up by the microphone. This can happen because the dome or earmold no longer fits properly, the device has shifted in position, or your ear canal has changed slightly – which can happen with weight changes, jaw movement, or aging.
Your clinician can check the physical fit, adjust the vent size, or change the dome style to resolve this.
3. Your Hearing Aids Feel Uncomfortable or Cause Soreness
Hearing aids should feel comfortable enough that you mostly forget you’re wearing them. Soreness, pressure, or irritation in or around your ear is a sign the physical fit needs attention.
This can happen gradually as the shape of your ear canal shifts, or more suddenly after an illness or weight change. In some cases, a new dome or a custom earmold can make a significant difference. Don’t assume discomfort is something you have to live with. It usually has a straightforward fix.
4. You’re Struggling More Than Usual in Noisy Environments
If you’ve noticed that hearing people in restaurants, family gatherings, or meetings is harder than it used to be, your program settings might be out of date. Noise reduction and directional microphone settings can be fine-tuned to better suit the specific environments where you spend the most time.
This is especially worth flagging if you’ve changed jobs, moved, or had a significant lifestyle shift. The listening environments your devices were originally programmed for may no longer reflect your daily reality.
5. Sounds Are Too Loud or Too Quiet
If you find yourself constantly turning the volume all the way up or down, it may mean the amplification levels no longer match your current hearing profile. This can happen gradually as hearing changes and is easily addressed by updating your audiogram and reprogramming the devices accordingly.
On the flip side, if certain sounds (like high-pitched voices or sirens) suddenly seem jarring or uncomfortably sharp, the frequency balance may need adjustment.
6. Your Hearing Has Changed
Hearing loss is rarely static. Most types of hearing loss progress gradually over time, and even a small shift in your audiogram can affect how well your current settings perform.
At Hearing Solutions, we recommend an annual hearing test, even if you think your hearing hasn’t changed. Small changes can happen gradually, and updating your hearing aid settings based on your latest hearing test helps ensure you’re getting the best possible performance.
7. You’ve Had a Significant Health Change
Certain health events can affect your hearing or the fit of your devices. These include ear infections or blockages, significant weight loss or gain, jaw surgery or dental work, and changes in medication (some medications affect hearing or cause tinnitus).
If you’ve experienced any of these and noticed a change in how your hearing aids are performing, mention it to your clinician, even if the connection isn’t obvious.
8. You’ve Started Avoiding Your Hearing Aids
This is one of the most telling signs, and one that’s easy to overlook. If you’re finding reasons not to wear your hearing aids like they’re uncomfortable, they don’t seem to help much, or they’re more hassle than they’re worth, that’s usually a signal that something isn’t right with the fit or the settings, not that hearing aids aren’t for you.
Many people who stop wearing their devices have simply never had them properly adjusted to their lifestyle and preferences. An honest conversation with your clinician about what’s not working can often turn things around quickly.
What to Expect at a Hearing Aid Adjustment Appointment?
Knowing what to expect at your appointment can make it easier to come prepared and get the most out of the visit.
- You’ll describe what you’ve noticed. Your clinician will ask about specific situations where your hearing aids aren’t performing well. The more detail you can give, like which environments, what time of day, which types of sounds – the more targeted the adjustment can be.
- Your devices will be checked physically. Your clinician will inspect the fit, clean the devices if needed, and check for any damage to the receiver, microphone, or casing.
- Real-ear measurements or listening checks may be performed. These tests help verify that the sound reaching your eardrum matches the targets for your hearing profile.
- Settings are updated in the programming software. Volume, frequency balance, noise reduction, directional settings, and program options can all be modified. You may try different settings in the clinic before settling on what feels right.
- A follow-up plan is set. Your clinician will let you know when to come back and may ask you to trial the new settings for a few weeks before a final check.
Most appointments take between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the changes needed.
How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Aids Adjusted?
There’s no single answer on how often you should get your hearing aids adjusted. It depends on your hearing stability, your lifestyle, and the type of device you wear. That said, here are some general guidelines:
- At least once a year. This is the minimum and can be paired with your annual hearing test to make sure your settings still match your current audiogram.
- Within the first 3–6 months. It is important to service your devices within the first few months of getting them. Most people need at least one or two fine-tuning appointments after their initial fitting as they adjust to the devices.
- Any time you notice a change. You should speak to your clinician if you notice changes in how your devices sound, fit, or feel. Don’t wait for your annual appointment if something seems off.
- After any significant health event. Any event that could affect your hearing or the fit of your devices.
At Hearing Solutions, adjustments and follow-up care are included as part of your hearing aid service plan, so there’s no reason to delay.
When It Might Be More Than Just an Adjustment
Most of the time, the issues described above can be resolved with a simple adjustment. But occasionally, what seems like a fit or settings problem is a sign that it’s time to consider a new device. This is more likely if:
- Your hearing aids are more than 5–7 years old and the technology is significantly outdated.
- Repairs have become frequent or expensive relative to the cost of replacement.
- Your hearing loss has progressed to the point where your current devices can no longer provide adequate amplification.
- Your lifestyle has changed significantly. For example, you’ve retired, started a more demanding job, or have a new health condition that requires more advanced features.
Your clinician will be upfront with you about whether an adjustment is likely to solve the problem or whether it’s time to explore newer options. There’s no pressure – the goal is always to find what works best for you.
To learn more about when it might be time to upgrade your hearing aids, read our full article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hearing aid adjustments covered at Hearing Solutions?
Yes. If you purchased your hearing aids with us, adjustments and follow-up care appointments are included in your hearing aid service plan. If you’re unsure what’s covered under your specific plan, your clinic can walk you through it.
How do I know if the problem is my hearing aid or my hearing?
The quickest way to find out is to book an appointment. Your clinician can test both your hearing and your devices in the same visit, making it easy to identify the root cause. Trying to troubleshoot at home can sometimes work for minor issues (like cleaning a clogged microphone), but persistent problems are almost always better diagnosed in person.
Can I adjust my hearing aids myself using the app?
Many modern hearing aids, including Phonak devices using the myPhonak app, allow you to make minor volume and program adjustments from your phone. These are useful for day-to-day fine-tuning. However, they don’t replace professional programming.
My hearing aids are new. Is it normal to need adjustments so soon?
This is completely normal. The initial fitting is based on your hearing test and informed estimates about your preferences, but it takes time wearing the devices in real-world environments to know what’s working and what isn’t. Most clinicians expect to see new hearing aid users back for one or two fine-tuning appointments in the first few months. Think of it as part of the adjustment process, not a sign that something went wrong.
How long does a hearing aid adjustment take?
Most hearing aid adjustment appointments take between 20 and 45 minutes. More complex issues may take longer or require a follow-up visit to assess how the new settings are working.
Next Steps
If anything in this article sounds familiar, don’t put it off. Small issues that go unaddressed often become bigger ones, and in the meantime, you’re not getting the most out of your devices.
At Hearing Solutions, we have 20 clinics across Ontario with experienced clinicians who can assess your devices, update your settings, and make sure you’re hearing your best. Adjustments are included in your service plan and appointments are easy to book online or by phone.
