Maybe voices seem fuller on one side, or one hearing aid has started to sound hollow or tinny. Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound in a way that feels natural, so a difference between them should be examined.
At Piedmont Hearing & Balance Center in Statesville, NC, audiologists David Richardson, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA, and Mary Dobbins Jones, Au.D., can evaluate your hearing and 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 schedule a visit if the difference persists.
Is Hearing Loss Ever Identical in Both Ears?
Hearing loss isn’t always identical in both ears, so your two hearing aids may be set differently and sound different without either one being broken. Each ear may have its own degree or pattern of hearing loss and need its own amount of amplification. 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.
Muffled, Tinny, or Whistling: How Does the Difference Sound to You?
The difference between two hearing aids can sound like one side being louder or softer, speech turning muffled or tinny, your own voice sounding hollow, or one device whistling or cutting out. Describing it clearly helps narrow down the possible cause. Pay attention to whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. Watch for experiences such as:
- 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, also called feedback, 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. Note when the problem began and which situations make it most noticeable.
Could a Muted Aid or the Wrong Program Explain Uneven Volume?
A muted aid or the wrong listening program can explain uneven volume, and so can a low battery, poor placement, or a blocked wax filter. Begin in a quiet room and check 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.
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 David Richardson or Mary Dobbins Jones if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
Why Bring Both Hearing Aids to Your Statesville Appointment?
Bring both hearing aids to your Statesville appointment because our audiologists evaluate each device and each ear separately to find out why one side sounds different. The visit typically begins with questions about the sound difference, when it occurs, recent maintenance, and whether symptoms persist without the devices. 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 help 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.
What Notes Help Your Audiologist Fine-Tune Hearing Aid Sound?
Brief notes on when sound problems occur help your audiologist fine-tune hearing aid sound, and daily cleaning plus individual filter checks keep both aids performing consistently between visits. Consistent care can help both devices perform reliably, 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. Those notes help us focus adjustments. The aim is dependable performance tailored to your hearing needs.
Get Even Hearing Aid Sound at Piedmont Hearing & Balance Center
Uneven sound is worth checking before it changes how you follow conversations. David Richardson and Mary Dobbins Jones 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 704-754-4264 or contact our Statesville office on Bryant Street to schedule a hearing aid evaluation.