How to Hear Phone Calls More Clearly With Hearing Aids
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To hear phone calls more clearly with a hearing aid, use a quiet location, position the phone near the hearing aid's microphone rather than pressing it tightly against the ear, and begin at a comfortable volume. Speakerphone may also help because it allows more flexible positioning. The best technique depends on whether the hearing aid sits in the ear canal or behind the ear.
Quick Answer
Reducing background noise is the first step toward improving phone call clarity with a hearing aid. Finding the correct distance and angle between the mobile phone and the device's microphone prevents whistling and blocked sounds. Avoid turning both the phone and hearing aid to their maximum volumes immediately, as this often distorts sound rather than making it clearer. The most effective phone placement will differ slightly depending on whether you use a CIC or BTE device.
Why Phone Calls Can Still Be Difficult
Phone conversations remove the visual cues of lip movement and facial expressions that support everyday speech understanding. Mobile phone speakers also have limited frequency ranges, and call quality can fluctuate based on the cellular connection. For more on why certain voices present specific challenges, read about why women's and children's voices are harder to hear.
Background noise in your environment easily competes with the voice coming from the phone speaker. Additionally, holding the phone incorrectly can block the hearing aid microphone, while turning the volume too high may make the sound louder but less clear. These factors combined can make phone use challenging until you find the right technique.
Common Phone Problems and What to Try
| Problem | Possible Reason | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| Voice is too soft | Phone is too far from the microphone | Move the phone slowly until speech is clearer |
| Voice is loud but unclear | Excessive volume or poor call quality | Reduce volume slightly and try a quieter location |
| Whistling occurs | Phone is pressed too close or fit is loose | Change the phone angle and check the ear-tip fit |
| Background noise dominates | Television, traffic or other voices compete | Move to a quieter place or use speakerphone |
| Only some callers are difficult | Speaker, connection and voice characteristics differ | Test another call before changing the device |
7 Steps for Clearer Phone Calls
- Move to a quieter location to reduce competing sounds.
- Start with a comfortable hearing-aid volume rather than the maximum setting.
- Position the phone near the microphone of your hearing device.
- Change the angle slowly to find the clearest sound reception.
- Try speakerphone if holding the device directly is difficult.
- Ask the caller to speak clearly rather than shout, which can distort their voice.
- Use captions or text support when available on your mobile device.
Phone Position for CIC and BTE Hearing Aids
CIC Hearing Aids
CIC devices sit inside the ear canal. You can usually hold the mobile phone near your ear as you normally would, but avoid pressing it tightly against the ear or directly over the microphone. Make small adjustments to the phone's distance and angle to find a position where speech is clear and no whistling occurs. For guidance on fit, see How to Insert a CIC Hearing Aid Correctly.
BTE Hearing Aids
BTE devices place the microphone on the body of the hearing aid, which sits behind the ear. To capture sound effectively, you may need to hold the phone slightly higher than the ear canal. Avoid pointing the phone speaker directly into your ear opening. The exact microphone placement varies by model, so always check the product instructions.
Can Speakerphone Make Calls Easier?
Using speakerphone allows you to adjust the distance and angle of the phone more freely during a conversation. This flexibility can significantly reduce the chance of the phone pressing against the hearing aid and causing whistling. It is a helpful alternative when positioning the phone by your ear feels uncomfortable.
Speakerphone is most effective in environments where you have privacy and minimal background noise. However, the final call quality still depends on your cellular connection, the mobile phone speaker and the surrounding environment.
A Compact CIC Option for Phone and Everyday Listening
The RKEPIE M602 Comfort CIC Hearing Aids offer a practical in-ear design for daily use.
- Rechargeable CIC in-ear style
- Complete left-and-right pair
- Up to 20 hours per full charge
- Simple on-device controls
- Multiple ear-tip sizes
- Intended for adults aged 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing difficulty
- Designed for everyday conversations, television and daily listening
The M602 is an acoustic hearing device that picks up sound through its microphone; it is not a Bluetooth streaming device that connects directly to phone audio. It relies on the correct phone placement described in this article to pick up sound from your mobile phone speaker.
Explore the RKEPIE M602 if you prefer a rechargeable CIC hearing aid that leaves the space behind your ear open while using a phone.
When the Problem May Not Be the Hearing Aid
Call clarity is not solely determined by your hearing device. A weak cellular or internet connection can cause voices to drop in and out. The phone's speaker may be damaged, blocked by a case or covered by debris, which naturally affects sound transmission. Poor call recording or transmission on the other end can also be a factor.
The person calling might be speaking too far from their own microphone, or they may be in an environment with excessive surrounding noise. Before assuming the hearing aid needs adjustment, test a call with another person or another phone in a quiet location.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consult a doctor, ENT specialist or hearing professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden hearing loss
- Hearing difficulty mainly in one ear
- Ear pain
- Drainage or bleeding
- Severe dizziness
- Rapidly worsening hearing
- Phone and face-to-face conversations remain consistently difficult even after correct fitting and use
For more on what to consider before a purchase, review our Hearing Aid Buying Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I hold my phone when wearing a hearing aid?
Hold the phone's speaker close to the hearing aid's microphone. For CIC devices, this is usually near the ear canal. For BTE devices, the phone may need to sit slightly higher behind the ear. Make small angle adjustments to find the clearest sound without whistling.
Why does my hearing aid whistle during phone calls?
Whistling, or feedback, happens when amplified sound reflects off the phone and re-enters the hearing aid microphone. This usually occurs if the phone is pressed too tightly against the ear. Changing the angle or slightly increasing the distance can resolve this issue.
Is speakerphone easier to use with hearing aids?
Speakerphone can be easier because it allows you to move the phone without causing feedback against the device. It is a practical alternative for longer conversations, provided you are in a quiet, private location where background noise will not interfere.
Should I increase the phone volume or hearing-aid volume?
Start with both devices at a moderate, comfortable volume. If the sound is too soft, try adjusting the phone's volume first. Turning both volumes to their maximum settings can distort speech sounds and make the voice harder to understand.
Do CIC hearing aids work with mobile phones?
Yes. CIC hearing aids use their built-in microphones to pick up sound from the mobile phone speaker. Because they sit inside the ear canal, users can often hold the phone similarly to how they did before wearing a hearing aid, adjusting the angle slightly.
Do I need Bluetooth to hear phone calls with a hearing aid?
No. While some hearing aids use Bluetooth to stream calls directly, standard hearing aids pick up call audio through their microphones just as they pick up normal conversation. Proper phone positioning and a quiet environment can provide effective call clarity without Bluetooth.
The Bottom Line
Hearing phone calls clearly requires finding the right position and angle between your mobile phone and your hearing aid microphone. Reducing background noise and starting at a moderate volume will improve speech understanding significantly. When holding the phone directly causes whistling, using speakerphone provides a practical alternative. By taking time to test these adjustments, everyday calls become easier to manage. If you are looking for an in-ear option that keeps the space behind your ear free, the RKEPIE M602 offers a rechargeable, straightforward design for daily listening.