Interference on Hearing Aid

Alan_uk

Alan_uk

A2OC Donor
Had some new and better hearing aids fitted a few weeks ago. Now today returning from the supermarket as soon as I started the engine I hear a very fast ticking/clicking noise and when I turn the steering wheel there is another high pitched whine as well. Click noise gets louder the closer I am to the dash. No sound when the ignition is on, only when the engine is running.

Any ideas?

Update: went out to see if there is interference on the radio but unfortunately the interference on the hearing aid has gone. Went for a short test drive and stopped and restarted but no interference on radio or hearing aids. Did notice that my radio has lost it's display. I did take it out to change a few buttons a month ago but don't recall checking if it was illuminating afterwards.
 
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Alan_uk said:
Had some new and better hearing aids fitted a few weeks ago. Now today returning from the supermarket as soon as I started the engine I hear a very fast ticking/clicking noise and when I turn the steering wheel there is another high pitched whine as well. Click noise gets louder the closer I am to the dash. No sound when the ignition is on, only when the engine is running.

Any ideas?

Update: went out to see if there is interference on the radio but unfortunately the interference on the hearing aid has gone. Went for a short test drive and stopped and restarted but no interference on radio or hearing aids. Did notice that my radio has lost it's display. I did take it out to change a few buttons a month ago but don't recall checking if it was illuminating afterwards.
Click to expand...
The hearing aids will have a setting for an induction loop, often fitted in Post Office counters, ticket offices etc. The loop creates a magnetic field of sound, which a small coil in the aid picks up. Car electrics create a field of interference, which an aid on "TCoil" (Tele Coil) will pick, up, and that's what you're hearing, I think.
Not sure how your aids change modes, (mine use Bluetooth and a phone app), some have a fob remote, others have small buttons on the aid itself. Check the instructions, or ask your audiologist. I'm guessing the setting changed between visits to the car ...
Mac.
 
Thanks for the idea. Mine has a small button for loop. I was wearing a mask in the supermarket so maybe when taking the mask off the button was accidently pressed (the mask loops always tangle with the hearing aid aid). When I get home I take them out and open the battery compartment and then next time they will be reset (e.g when I went and checked the radio). I will try setting loop and see what happens...............
 
terrywindy1 said:
Had similar problem with mine. Any moisture starts the clicking noise,maybe wearing the mask has caused some moisture?
Click to expand...
Possible but then I had the whine noise when turning the steering wheel. Tomorrow I will turn the loop on and off to see if that makes the sound come and go.
 
Alan_uk said:
Possible but then I had the whine noise when turning the steering wheel. Tomorrow I will turn the loop on and off to see if that makes the sound come and go.
Click to expand...
The steering whine is from EMI (electro magnetic interferance) generated by the power steering pump.
Mac.
 
PlasticMac said:
The steering whine is from EMI (electro magnetic interferance) generated by the power steering pump.
Mac.
Click to expand...
I guessed it was. I thought that the clicking might be from the alternator - that must produce a lot of EMI. I have an aversion to EMI ;) I linked my door bell to my Raspberry PI home automation going via op-to couplers but when the door bell rang other sensors triggered! Had to disconnect and I now have a Zigbee sensor to try.

I have just tested again. This time switching the loop on an off. I could not replicate the problem. Suggests to me this was a glitch with the new hearing aids. Should it happen again I will try switching the loop on & off and even switching the hearing aids on & off - good old reboot! I certainly could not do a long journey with the racket in the ear.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
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