Maybe the voices on your left side seem sharper than those on your right, or one device has started to sound faint. 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 Audiological Diagnostics, PC, Dassan Ali, Sc.D., CCC-A, FAAA, who brings more than 20 years of experience in audiology, and audiologist Hind Shihadeh, Au.D., see patients at offices in Bay Ridge and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Midtown South in Manhattan, and Middle Village in Queens. They 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 seek professional care if the difference persists.
Why Might One Hearing Aid Sound Different Even After a Good Fitting?
One hearing aid might sound different even after a good fitting because each ear can have its own degree or pattern of hearing loss and need its own 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. 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.
Which Changes in Volume or Clarity Point to a Problem?
The changes in volume or clarity that point to a problem include one side seeming louder or softer, muffled or distorted speech in one ear, and whistling, hissing, or sound cutting out in one device. Describing the difference clearly helps narrow down the possible cause. Pay attention to whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. Common experiences include:
- 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 may result from a poor fit, wax, or a device problem that calls for hearing aid repair. 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.
Which Home Checks Come First When the Sound Quality Shifts?
When the sound quality shifts, check power and mute first, then the listening program and volume, the battery or charge, placement in the correct ear, and the earpiece and wax filter. Start 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.
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 Dassan Ali or Hind Shihadeh if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
How Does Our Brooklyn Hearing Care Team Track Down the Cause?
Our Brooklyn hearing care team tracks down the cause by evaluating your hearing aids and your ears separately. 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. 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.
How Can New York Patients Keep Both Hearing Aids Working Evenly?
New York patients can keep both hearing aids working evenly with daily cleaning, separate filter checks, and regular follow-up visits, even if the settings on each side 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. Brief notes on when problems occur help us focus adjustments. The aim is dependable performance tailored to your hearing needs.
Have Your Hearing Aids Checked at Audiological Diagnostics, PC
If your hearing aids sound uneven, schedule an evaluation with Dassan Ali, Sc.D., or Hind Shihadeh, Au.D. Bring both hearing aids, your charger (if charging is a concern), and notes on when the difference occurs. We can determine whether the next step is maintenance, adjustments, repair, or further hearing assessment.
Call our Bay Ridge office at 718-285-8692, our Midtown South office at 718-395-5483, our Middle Village office at 718-218-3429, or our Williamsburg office at 718-841-0831, or contact Audiological Diagnostics to schedule an appointment.