The occlusion effect refers to the sensation that your voice sounds blocked, muffled or unnecessarily loud. It’s common in hearing aids, but you may have also noticed it when chewing food while wearing headphones. Suddenly, your sandwich at Grounds Central Station sounds like you’re chewing a bunch of nails.
If you’re among the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss and just got your first pair of hearing aids, don’t worry if things sound a little blocked. There are a few ways you can minimize the occlusion effect for a better experience.
What Causes the Occlusion Effect?
When a hearing aid blocks your ear canal, the sounds you produce can’t escape, causing them to reflect towards the eardrum, changing their resonance and making them seem louder or echoey.
Preventing the Occlusion Effect
There are a few ways you can minimize the occlusion effect:
- Allow time to adapt. First-time hearing aid users may find the occlusion effect more bothersome. Your brain needs time to get used to how things sound with hearing aids. In many cases, the perception of occlusion fades with consistent use over a few weeks.
- Use open-dome hearing aids. While closed-dome hearing aids create a tighter seal, they can contribute to the occlusion effect. Open-dome devices allow sound to flow more freely through the ear canal, significantly reducing occlusion.
- Adjust the fit. Sometimes, the shape or depth of the hearing aid can make a difference. Poorly fitted hearing aids usually cause pain or discomfort alongside the occlusion effect. Talk to your hearing aid specialist if the fit feels wrong.
- Fine-tune programming. Hearing aid specialists can adjust your devices’ settings so that things sound more natural. Sometimes, you only need to turn down the volume to fix the issue.
If the occlusion effect is interfering with your ability to wear your hearing aids consistently, speak with your hearing aid specialist. A programming adjustment or a different hearing aid style might be the trick to clearer sound.
Contact ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia today if your new hearing aids are causing the occlusion effect. We can help identify the best remedy to improve your experience.