Can Headaches be Caused by Hearing Aids?

A distraught senior man sitting on his couch suffering from a headache because his hearing aids were not properly adjusted.

Everyone’s hearing loss situation is unique and hearing aids are designed to compensate for those individual conditions. If your hearing aids are giving you headaches or any other kind of pain, whether you’ve been wearing them for years or you’re a new user, there’s a solution.

A properly adjusted hearing aid will fit comfortably in your ear and give you the quality of amplification that meets your individual requirements. If this is not the case, you should make certain you have the correct type of hearing aid and that it’s been properly adjusted.

Your hearing aid requires adjustment if you detect any of these signs

If your hearing aids are not precisely fitted, they can lead to headaches. Normally, inadequate adjustment or improper use is the reason. If this is the situation, the following problems might arise:

  • Headaches and tinnitus. Loud sounds that are further amplified can also cause headaches and even tinnitus. This typically happens in hearing aids with internal control settings that have been set too high.
  • Insufficient sound quality. Improperly adjusted hearing aids can increase the volume of high intensity sound causing a loud irritating feedback that can damage your ears. Hearing aids in this condition can also make low intensity sounds inaudible.
  • Feedback noise. Your hearing aid might pick up and amplify background noise, like wind, which can also cause irritating, high-pitched feedback noises.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

Even though you can go to a local store and get a less expensive personal amplification device (over the counter hearing aid), these devices will not be programmed for your personal hearing loss requirements.

Improving your hearing demands more than merely amplifying sounds because hearing loss is specific to the individual. Typically, specific frequencies of sound are lost when somebody loses their hearing. Hearing aid settings have to be programmed to help the person hear adequately in different environments.

Professional hearing aid adjustment

One of the best ways to ensure your hearing aid is fitted correctly is to have your individualized hearing aid fitted and adjusted. Custom-fitted hearing aids will be designed just for you utilizing molds of your ears. Once the right fit is attained, we will need to adjust the hearing aid settings so you can distinguish between unwanted noise and the sounds you want to hear.

Your hearing aid should also make automated adjustments, which will allow you to hear background noises in different settings without interference. This may require a few visits to ensure you get the hearing aid that’s right for you and correct for your lifestyle. And with significant hearing loss, your brain will need to become accustomed to hearing again in stages, so your hearing aid will need to be programmed in stages.

If you believe you might be suffering from an out of tune hearing aid, call us today and make an appointment to have it checked out.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids#hearingaid_08

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

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