For many new hearing aid users, one of the most surprising adjustments is hearing their own voice. The experience of listening to yourself speak through hearing aids can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable at first. This condition, often referred to as the occlusion effect occurs when amplified sound changes how your voice sounds in your ears. In this blog, we’ll explore how hearing aids impact the perception of your voice, why it happens, and tips to help you adjust.
Why Does My Voice Sound Different with Hearing Aids?
When you wear hearing machines, you’re not just amplifying external sounds—you’re also amplifying internal sounds, including your own voice. This is because hearing aids amplify sounds that are picked up through the microphone, including the sounds of your voice as it travels through the air and reaches the hearing aid.
However, a different aspect comes into play: your voice also travels through your skull and vibrations in your bones, are transmitted directly to your inner ear. This can cause your voice to sound louder or more booming than usual when you wear hearing aids, especially if your ear canal is more occluded (blocked) by the hearing aid device.
The Occlusion Effect: What Is It?
The occlusion effect happens when sound vibrations, particularly low-frequency sounds, are trapped inside your ear canal. When you speak, the vibrations of your voice bounce off the hearing aid device, amplifying the sound of your voice. As a result, your voice may sound louder, more resonant, or echo-like. This can be quite distracting, especially for new users.
The occlusion effect is more common in in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids with earmolds that fit snugly in the ear canal. These types of hearing aids can block the natural escape of sound, causing the trapped sound to create a louder perception of your voice.
Why This Occurs: A Mix of External and Internal Sound Perception
Hearing aid machines amplify the external sounds you need to hear, such as conversations and environmental noise. But when you speak, you hear both the sound coming from the air (external sound) and the sound transmitted through your bones (internal sound). This is a unique combination that makes your voice sound different through hearing aids.
With no hearing aid, the ear canal is open, allowing sound to escape. When the ear canal is closed off by a hearing aid or earmold, your voice vibrates against the ear canal walls, creating a sensation of loudness. This mix of amplified external sound and trapped internal sound creates a change in your voice’s perception.
How to Minimize the Occlusion Effect
While the occlusion effect is a common experience for many hearing aid users, it can often be managed or reduced. Here are some solutions:
1. Open-Fit Hearing Aids
For people with mild to moderate hearing loss, open-fit or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids can reduce the occlusion effect. These devices allow some natural sound to pass through the ear canal, minimizing the sensation of your voice being trapped.
2. Adjusting the Hearing Aid Fit
Ensuring that your hearing aid or earmold is fitted correctly is crucial. An earmold that is too tight or blocks too much of the ear canal can worsen the occlusion effect. Your audiologist can modify the fit by venting (creating small holes in the earmold) to allow sound to escape naturally, reducing the trapped sound effect.
3. Volume Adjustments
In some cases, the occlusion effect can be reduced by adjusting the hearing aid’s settings. Reducing the amplification of low-frequency sounds can help minimize the sensation of a booming voice. Your audiologist can help fine-tune your hearing aids to balance your hearing needs with the comfort of your voice’s sound.
4. Bone Conduction Hearing Aids
For individuals who experience significant discomfort due to the occlusion effect, bone-conduction hearing aids may be an alternative. These devices bypass the ear canal and deliver sound directly to the inner ear through bone conduction, minimizing the resonance of your own voice.
5. Practice and Adaptation
While the occlusion effect can be frustrating at first, many users find that they gradually get used to the sound of their voice over time. With regular use of hearing aids, your brain adapts to the new auditory input and begins to filter out the unfamiliar sensation of your voice being louder or different.
Tips for Adjusting to the Sound of Your Own Voice
Adapting to the sound of your own voice while wearing hearing aids can take time. Here are a few tips to help make the process smoother:
Wear Your Hearing Devices Regularly: Consistent use helps your brain adjust to the new sound, including the way your voice sounds. The more you wear them, the faster you will adapt.
Start in Quiet Environments: Begin by wearing your hearing aids in quieter settings to help you focus on how they amplify sounds without overwhelming you with too much background noise.
Speak Aloud and Record Yourself: Hearing your voice through a recording can help you become more familiar with how it sounds through your hearing aids. Practice speaking aloud and listen to how your voice changes over time.
Communicate with Your Audiologist: If the occlusion effect continues to bother you, speak with your audiologist. They can help adjust the settings or refit your devices to make them more comfortable.
Conclusion
Hearing aids are powerful tools that can greatly enhance your hearing, but they also introduce new auditory experiences, like hearing your own voice differently. While the occlusion effect may seem bothersome initially, it can be managed with the right hearing aid fit, proper adjustments, and patience. With time, most hearing aid users adapt to the sound of their voice, allowing them to fully enjoy the improved hearing and communication that hearing aids provide.
If you are new to hearing aids and struggling with how your voice sounds, remember that this is a common experience. Talk to your audiologist to explore solutions that can make the transition more comfortable and help you fully embrace life with your hearing aids.
