When one hearing aid suddenly seems quieter, sharper, or fuzzier than its partner, conversations can start to feel lopsided. 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.
Since 2001, West Valley Hearing Center has cared for patients in Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Calabasas, and nearby communities. Our audiologists, Jane Rosner, Au.D., board-certified Amit Gosalia, Au.D., and Lizette Montes, 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 seek professional care if the difference persists.
Does an Uneven Hearing Aid Always Mean One Is Broken?
An uneven hearing aid doesn’t always mean one is broken, because each ear may have a different degree or pattern of hearing loss and need a different 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.
Which Sound Quality Changes Can Show Up in One Hearing Aid?
Sound quality changes that can show up in one hearing aid include softer or louder volume, muffled or tinny speech, a hollow-sounding voice, whistling, and sound that cuts out. 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. Watch for experiences like these:
- 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.
Which Simple Checks Can You Run on One Hearing Aid at Home?
The simple checks you can run on one hearing aid at home cover its power, mute setting, listening program, volume, battery or charge, fit, 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 one of our audiologists if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.
How Do Our Woodland Hills Audiologists Pinpoint an Uneven Sound?
Our Woodland Hills audiologists pinpoint an uneven sound 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, and earwax removal may follow 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 Keeps Hearing Aid Sound Quality Dependable Over Time?
Daily cleaning, separate filter checks, and regular follow-up visits keep hearing aid sound quality dependable over time, even when the two devices use different settings. 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.
Schedule an Uneven Hearing Aid Visit in Woodland Hills
If your hearing aids sound uneven, schedule an evaluation with Jane Rosner, Amit Gosalia, or Lizette Montes. 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, and if a device needs a repair we can’t complete right away, we’ll offer a loaner in the meantime.
Call or text 818-208-6025 or reach our Ventura Boulevard office online to book your visit.