When wearing hearing aids, it is important that you not only hear well, but that the wearing also remains comfortable. However, some users experience a phenomenon known as occlusion. This can affect wearing comfort and even lead to a disrupted listening experience. In this blog, we discuss what exactly occlusion is, why it can bother you when wearing hearing aids, and how to prevent it by keeping your hearing aid’s venting (also known as “venting”) clean.
What is Occlusion?
Occlusion is a phenomenon that occurs when sounds, especially your own voice sounds, sound “blocked” or muffled while wearing hearing aids. It feels as if your ears are blocked, similar to the feeling you have when you are on a mountain or on an airplane. This effect occurs because sounds that could normally escape from the ear are now held by the hearing aid. As a result, sounds such as talking, chewing, and even breathing can sound unusually loud and echoing.
The degree of occlusion can vary depending on the way your hearing aid is fitted and the degree to which your hearing aid’s vent (vent) is blocked. It is especially a problem for people who have mild to moderate hearing losses because their hearing aids do not always require a perfect occlusion for optimal amplification.
Why Do You Suffer from Occlusion with Hearing Instruments?
There are several factors that can cause or worsen occlusion, especially when using hearing aids:
- Ear canal closure: In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids or custom-made ear pieces close the ear canal more than other hearing aids. As a result, your voice cannot escape as well and the sound stays in the ear.
- Venting (Venting) Blocked: Many hearing aids have small vents also called “ventings.” These ventings allow air and sound to escape from the ear, which helps to reduce the occlusion effect. When these ventings become blocked by earwax or dirt, for example, this effect is amplified.
- Too Tight Fit: With hearing aids that fit tightly in the ear, the feeling of occlusion may be stronger. This can be especially a problem with newly fitted hearing aids.
- Incorrect Fitting of Hearing Aids: Sometimes hearing aids are set with amplification that is not quite right or sounds fine for the user’s hearing loss. This can also cause a feeling of occlusion. Fortunately, hearing care professionals can often adjust this quickly.
What Are the Consequences of Occlusion?
The feeling of occlusion can be very uncomfortable. It makes your own voice sound unnaturally loud, which some people describe as “talking in a barrel.” It makes everyday conversations more difficult and can even be tiring because it makes listening more strenuous. Occlusion can make users less likely to wear their hearing aids, which, of course, is not conducive to their hearing.
For people who suffer from this, it is important to keep the vents clean and make sure their hearing aids are set correctly. Fortunately, there are several solutions to reduce occlusion.
How Do You Reduce Occlusion?
There are several ways to reduce or even prevent occlusion, depending on the cause:
- Regular Vent Cleaning: A clogged vent is one of the most common causes of occlusion in hearing aids. Regular cleaning of these vents allows air to escape more easily and reduces the occlusion effect.
- Fit Adjustment: For some people, a slight adjustment in the fit of their hearing aid can help. A slightly looser fit allows sounds such as your own voice to escape more easily, reducing the feeling of occlusion.
- Venting Adjustment: Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, a larger vent may help. However, this is something that can only be performed by an audiologist.
- Use of Open-fit Hearing Instruments: Open-fit hearing aids allow more air and sound to pass through than closed devices. For people with mild hearing loss, these devices can help reduce occlusion.
- Quiet Spaces: In situations where ambient noise is a factor, it may help to adjust the hearing aid volume or move to a quieter place. This helps reduce listening effort and reduces the risk of fatigue from occlusion.
How Do You Clean the Venting of Your Hearing Aid?
A clogged vent can make a big difference in the comfort and sound quality of your hearing aid. Regular cleaning of the vent is essential to prevent occlusion and maintain optimal hearing aid performance. Below we provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean the vent of your hearing aid.
Step 1: Gather your Cleaning Materials
To clean the vent, you will need some tools. Most hearing aids come with a cleaning kit that includes a small brush and vent cleaning tool. If you don’t have these, you can use a thin cleaning brush and a cleaning wire specifically designed for hearing aids.
Step 2: Remove the Hearing Aid and Check the Venting
Carefully remove the hearing aid from your ear and locate the vent. This is usually a small, cylindrical hole in the earpiece or part that sits inside your ear. Inspect the vent to see if it is clogged with earwax or dirt.
Step 3: Use the Brush to Wipe the Venting Clean
Use the small brush to gently sweep across the vent. Try to remove loose particles without damaging the vent. The brush is ideal for surface debris and can help restore airflow in the vent.
Step 4: Clean the Venting with the Venting Cleaner or Cleaning Wire
Gently insert the vent cleaner through the vent to remove more stubborn dirt. This thin wire can go through the vent to push out accumulated dirt. Be sure to do this gently and avoid forceful pushing as this can damage the vent.
Step 5: Check the Venting for Cleanliness
After cleaning, check the vent again to make sure all blockages have been removed. Test the hearing aid to see if the feeling of occlusion has diminished. If the occlusion persists, there may be another cause, such as the fit or a setting that needs to be adjusted by your hearing care professional.
Step 6: Regular Maintenance
Make it a habit to clean your hearing aids regularly, including the vent. Depending on how much earwax you produce, cleaning your hearing aids daily, weekly or monthly can help prevent occlusion and maintain optimal sound quality.
When is it Time to Consult Your Hearing Care Professional?
If you still experience occlusion despite cleaning measures, it is wise to contact your hearing care professional. There may be other causes, such as the fit of the hearing aid, the size of the vent, or an adjustment in the settings needed to correct the problem.
Audiologists can help you further by, for example, adjusting the venting or making a new fit that closes less. They can also advise on the type of hearing aid that best suits your specific needs.
Conclusion
Occlusion is a common problem with hearing aids that fortunately can be easily remedied with proper cleaning measures and settings. By regularly cleaning the vent of your hearing aid, you can prevent many of the discomforts that occlusion causes. In addition, minor adjustments in fit or switching to an open-fit hearing aid can help minimize occlusion. If you suffer from occlusion or other hearing problems, contact your hearing care professional to find out what solutions are best for you.
