With their ability to improve communication and quality of life, hearing aids are a huge asset. Yet, a few users get headaches when they initially put on hearing aids. Even though this might be aggravating, it is a good thing that these headaches are generally temporary and simple to handle with appropriate care and fine-tuning. Here, we’ll investigate the causes of these headaches and the best ways to address them!

Prevalent causes of headaches from hearing aids

• Poor Fitting:
  Headaches and discomfort can result if an ill-fitting hearing aid puts pressure on sensitive areas of your ear. If you just purchased a new hearing aid and you’re experiencing headaches, a poorly fitted device is most likely to blame.
• Sound Overload:
  Allow your brain time to adjust to the amplified sound input. Initially, hearing things you previously couldn’t– like background noise– can feel overwhelming and trigger headaches. However, this effect is expected to resolve over time.
• High Volume Settings:
  Setting the volume too high can result in auditory fatigue from the high-volume input, thereby triggering headaches. Try starting out at a lower volume and gradually increasing over time as you get used to your new level of hearing.
• Feedback and Whistling:
  Hearing aids that produce feedback or a high-pitched whistling sound can bother the ears and lead to tension headaches. Talk to your hearing specialist if your device is producing sounds that are leading to agitation.
• Adjustment Period:
  It is important to remember that Your brain requires a period of time to adjust to your hearing aid. The brain will be re-learning how to process sounds during this adjustment period, which can lead to slight discomfort, including headaches.

How to manage and prevent headaches

• Ensure a Professional Fit: Be sure your hearing aids are professionally fitted to eliminate any pressure points inside your ear canal.
• Start at a comfortable setting and incrementally increase the volume to avoid overtaxing your hearing system.
• Use Noise Filters: Contemporary hearing aids usually have background noise reduction capabilities. If your device doesn’t have this, ask your audiologist about upgrading or adjusting the settings.
• Rest Your Ears and Brain: Throughout the day, take breaks during the acclimation period to prevent the onset of sensory fatigue.
• Maintain regular check-ups with your hearing specialist for fine-tuning, especially if you are feeling discomfort.

When you need to consult a hearing care professional about your headaches

It’s time to seek advise from a hearing specialist if the headaches persist after the initial adaptation or if they are accompanied by other symptoms, like nausea, ear pain, or dizziness.

Persistent headaches might indicate that you have incorrect device settings or an unseen issue, such as a hearing aid malfunction or an ear infection.

The benefits of a properly adjusted hearing aid

With professional assistance, headaches from hearing aids are generally temporary and easy to fix, in spite of being annoying. The right hearing aid, correctly adjusted to fit your needs, can substantially improve your quality of life without causing discomfort. Should any issues arise, be sure to contact your audiologist– your hearing health and comfort are important! Your audiologist understands that pain from your hearing aid will likely make you stop wearing it.

A Common Issue

Headaches caused by hearing aids are no cause for worry– think of them as a minor setback toward better hearing. This is a common experience, and it will probably be resolved with minor adjustments. You will soon be back to enjoying music, conversations, and the subtle sounds of life with the right care and adjustments!

Book an appointment right away if you are dealing with headaches related to your hearing aids.