Most hearing aids can be turned up using a small button or rocker switch on the device itself, a smartphone app, or a handheld remote control. The exact method depends on your hearing aid’s brand and style, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.
Using Controls on the Hearing Aid
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids typically have a small push button, rocker switch, or scroll wheel on the outer casing. To turn up the volume, press the top of the rocker switch or the “+” side of the button. Each press usually raises the volume by one step, and you’ll hear a short beep confirming the change. Some models use a tiny rotating wheel that you scroll upward with your fingertip to increase volume.
In-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) styles may have a single multi-function button instead. On many of these devices, a short press changes the listening program while a long press adjusts volume. Check your user manual to confirm which action controls volume, since manufacturers handle this differently. If your hearing aids are very small (completely-in-canal models), they may not have any physical controls at all, and you’ll need to use an app or remote instead.
Adjusting Volume Through a Smartphone App
Every major hearing aid manufacturer offers a free companion app that lets you control volume from your phone. Phonak uses the myPhonak app, Oticon has the Oticon Companion app, ReSound offers ReSound Smart 3D, and Starkey uses the My Starkey app. All of these connect to your hearing aids via Bluetooth and display a simple volume slider you can drag up or down.
Most apps let you adjust both hearing aids together or control each ear independently. Independent control is useful if one ear needs more amplification in a particular moment. That said, if you consistently find yourself turning one side up much higher than the other, that’s a sign your audiologist should re-check the programming or physical fit rather than you compensating on your own.
To get started, download your manufacturer’s app from the App Store or Google Play, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, and follow the pairing instructions. Once paired, the volume slider is usually on the app’s home screen.
Using a Remote Control
If you don’t use a smartphone or find tiny buttons difficult to press, a dedicated remote control is a good alternative. These are small handheld devices with large, easy-to-see buttons designed specifically for people with dexterity challenges. The Phonak PilotOne II, for example, has just four buttons for volume and program changes. Oticon’s ConnectLine Remote Control lets you adjust volume, switch programs, and mute your hearing aids without touching them. Starkey’s remote features oversized buttons and a sliding lock to prevent accidental changes.
Remote controls are sold separately and need to be compatible with your specific hearing aid model. Your audiologist can order the right one and pair it to your devices during an appointment.
Why Volume and Programming Are Different
When you turn up the volume on your hearing aids, you’re raising the overall output of all sounds equally, making everything louder. This is different from the underlying programming your audiologist sets, which adjusts amplification at specific pitches to match your hearing loss. For instance, your hearing aids might be programmed to boost high-pitched sounds more than low-pitched ones because that’s where your hearing loss is greatest. Turning the volume up doesn’t change that balance. It simply makes the whole mix louder.
Modern hearing aids also use automatic compression that adjusts amplification on the fly. This system provides more boost for quiet sounds and less boost for loud sounds, keeping speech audible without making sudden noises painfully loud. This happens in the background regardless of where you set your volume control. So even when you turn the volume up, the hearing aid is still managing loud sounds to protect your ears.
Built-In Safety Limits
You don’t need to worry about accidentally cranking your hearing aids to a dangerous level. Hearing aids have a maximum power output cap set during programming. For over-the-counter devices, federal regulations limit output to 115 dB SPL, or 120 dB SPL if the device has a volume control with built-in compression. Your audiologist may set the ceiling even lower based on your specific hearing profile. When you reach the maximum, additional button presses simply won’t increase the volume further, and you’ll typically hear a different tone indicating you’ve hit the limit.
When Turning Up the Volume Doesn’t Help
If your hearing aids still sound too quiet even at maximum volume, the issue is often physical rather than electronic. The most common culprit is earwax or debris blocking the speaker opening. If your hearing aid uses a wax guard (a small filter over the speaker), try replacing it with a fresh one from the pack that came with your devices. Use your cleaning tool (a small brush or pick) to gently clear both the microphone port and the speaker.
A poorly fitting dome can also reduce the sound reaching your ear. If the dome is too small, amplified sound leaks out before it reaches your eardrum. If it’s too large, it may sit incorrectly in the canal. Try switching to a slightly different dome size to see if that improves things.
If cleaning and dome adjustments don’t solve the problem, your hearing may have changed since your last fitting. Hearing loss can shift gradually, and what felt loud enough six months ago may no longer be sufficient. In that case, your audiologist can run a new hearing test and reprogram the devices with updated gain levels to match your current needs.