When one hearing aid sounds sharp and tinny while the other sounds soft or far away, everyday listening can start to feel tiring. Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound in a way that feels natural, so a difference between the two is a signal worth following up on.
At Imaginears, with offices in Medford and Ashland, OR, audiologist Elizabeth D. Tangel, Au.D., who has owned the practice since 2005, helps patients across Southern Oregon get the most from their hearing aids. She can evaluate your hearing and your devices to determine whether an imbalance 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.
Does It Matter if My Two Hearing Aids Sound Different?
It doesn’t always matter if your two hearing aids sound different, because your ears may have different degrees or patterns of hearing loss and each device may 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.
A new or worsening imbalance, however, 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.
Is the Hearing Aid Sound Tinny, Hollow, or Crackling on One Side?
Hearing aid sound on one side can turn tinny, hollow, muffled, or crackly, and that side may also seem louder or softer than the other or cut out entirely. Describing the difference clearly helps narrow down the possible cause. Notice whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. For example, you might find that:
- 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. 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.
What Home Fixes Should You Try First for One Hearing Aid?
The home fixes to try first for one hearing aid are confirming it is on and unmuted, checking its program and volume, recharging it or replacing its battery, reseating it, and inspecting its wax filter. Begin in a quiet room and test one possible cause at a time before making further changes. Following the instructions for your model, try these steps:
- 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 Elizabeth Tangel if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
How Can an Audiologist in Medford or Ashland Trace Uneven Sound?
An audiologist in Medford or Ashland can trace uneven sound by evaluating your hearing aids and your ears separately, then comparing the results side by side. Elizabeth Tangel 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, and earwax removal may be the next step. 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. Many hearing aid repairs can be handled right in our center, and a loaner is often available when a device needs manufacturer service.
What Keeps a Pair of Hearing Aids Performing Alike Over Time?
Regular cleaning, separate filter checks, and follow-up visits keep a pair of hearing aids performing alike over time, 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. Brief notes on when problems occur help us focus adjustments. The aim is dependable performance tailored to your hearing needs.
Book a Hearing Aid Balance Check With Elizabeth D. Tangel, Au.D.
If your hearing aids sound uneven, Elizabeth Tangel can help 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 our Medford office at 541-210-9648 or our Ashland office at 541-855-3825, or contact Imaginears to schedule a hearing aid evaluation.