Hearing Aid Wind Noise - How Signia Handles It

If you have ever stepped outside on a breezy day with your hearing aids on, you have probably experienced that annoying rushing or roaring sound caused by wind hitting the microphones. Wind noise is one of the most common complaints among hearing aid users and can make outdoor activities frustrating. Fortunately, Signia hearing aids incorporate sophisticated technology specifically designed to tackle this problem.

How Signia Reduces Wind Noise

e-WindScreen Technology

Signia's advanced e-WindScreen system uses binaural processing to detect and reduce wind noise in real time. When wind hits one hearing aid more than the other (depending on wind direction), the system can use the signal from the less-affected ear to compensate, maintaining clear sound quality even in gusty conditions.

Dual Microphone Detection

Signia hearing aids with dual microphones can compare signals between the front and rear microphones. Wind noise typically affects both microphones differently than speech does, allowing the processor to identify and attenuate wind noise while preserving speech signals.

Automatic Environment Detection

Higher-end Signia models automatically detect when you are in a windy environment and switch to a wind-optimized program. This happens seamlessly without any manual intervention, so you can enjoy outdoor activities without constantly adjusting your hearing aids.

Which Hearing Aid Styles Handle Wind Best?

• CIC/IIC (Best for Wind): Completely-in-Canal hearing aids sit deep inside the ear canal, protected from direct wind exposure by the ear itself. This makes them naturally resistant to wind noise.
• RIC (Good): RIC hearing aids have microphones behind the ear that are somewhat exposed to wind but benefit from the ear's natural wind-blocking effect.
• BTE (Most Exposed): BTE hearing aids have microphones on top of or behind the ear, making them more susceptible to wind. However, advanced models with e-WindScreen technology perform very well even in windy conditions.

Practical Tips for Reducing Wind Noise

In addition to your hearing aid's built-in wind management, these practical strategies can help:

• Wear a Hat or Headband: A wide-brimmed hat, cap, or headband that covers your ears can significantly reduce wind hitting the microphones.
• Position Yourself Wisely: When talking outdoors, position yourself so the wind comes from behind rather than directly into your face or ears.
• Use Wind Guards: Some hearing aids have optional wind guard accessories or foam covers that fit over the microphones to reduce turbulence.
• Switch to a Wind Program: If your hearing aid has a manual wind program, activate it when outdoors in windy conditions.
• Adjust via the App: Signia's smartphone app allows you to reduce sensitivity or activate wind noise reduction features with a few taps.

Wind Noise and Technology Levels

The effectiveness of wind noise management varies by technology level. Entry-level hearing aids may have basic wind noise reduction, while premium models offer the most sophisticated multi-microphone wind management systems. If outdoor wind noise is a major concern for you, investing in a mid-range or premium Signia model will provide noticeably better performance.

Our audiologists can demonstrate the difference between technology levels and help you choose the right balance of features and budget for your lifestyle needs. Browse our complete Signia product range to compare options.