Last Updated on August 9, 2025 by Jonathan Javid Au.D.
How to Adjust the Volume on Your Hearing Aids: Complete 2025 Guide
For all new hearing aid users, it can be overwhelming to suddenly hear so many sounds again. During the first few days, many people want to turn their hearing aids down to soften the sound. Others may have a difficult-to-hear family member and wish to temporarily increase the volume. In this guide, I’ll show you every way you can adjust your hearing aid volume—whether you use push buttons, a wheel, a toggle switch, a remote, or a smartphone app.
Ways to Adjust Hearing Aid Volume
Depending on your style and brand of hearing aid, you may be able to adjust the volume by:
- Push buttons on the hearing aids (right button raises volume, left lowers volume)
- Rotary wheel on in-the-ear models
- Toggle switch for quick up/down changes
- Remote control (optional accessory)
- Smartphone app for discreet adjustments
- iPhone or Apple Watch integration
This article will show you pictures, step-by-step instructions, and pro tips so you can make quick adjustments without frustration.
How Hearing Aid Volume Controls Work
- Volume changes are temporary. When your hearing aids are turned off and on again, they return to your audiologist’s programmed default. This ensures you can’t accidentally ruin your settings.
- Autopilot programs are always running. Modern hearing aids constantly analyze your environment, adjusting program settings, microphone direction, and volume automatically to help you hear better.
- Manual changes override autopilot temporarily. You can still influence the sound when needed, but the hearing aid will keep adapting in the background.
- Louder volume doesn’t always mean clearer speech. Sometimes boosting volume increases background noise without improving word recognition.
1. Using Push Buttons to Change Volume
The most common method is the push button. Your audiologist can enable or disable this function in programming—if it doesn’t work, ask for it to be activated.
How it works:
Press the right aid button (red marking) to raise volume by about 2 dB per press. Press the left aid button (blue marking) to lower volume. Use short presses—holding the button longer than 3 seconds usually activates other features instead.
Pro tip: Remember “The 3 R’s”: Red, Right, Raise.
2. Using a Rotary Wheel
Found mostly on in-the-ear hearing aids, a rotary wheel works like a volume knob.
- Rotate forward toward your eyes to increase volume.
- Rotate backward to decrease volume.
- When you reach the limit, you’ll hear a double beep—even though the wheel can keep turning.
3. Using a Toggle Switch
A toggle switch works like a spring-loaded light switch.
Push up to increase volume, down to decrease. The switch snaps back to the center after each press. Use short 1-second presses for each change.
4. Using a Remote Control
Many brands sell an optional remote control. This can be easier for arthritic hands or dexterity issues.
Just like a TV remote, + increases volume and – decreases it.
5. Using a Smartphone App
Most modern hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to control volume via an app. Some connect directly to your phone, while others need a streaming accessory.
Using the app is discreet—people around you will think you’re simply checking messages.
To find your app, search your hearing aid brand name in your device’s app store.
Related Questions
Does turning my hearing aid louder create static? Yes—especially in high frequencies. See: Why Hearing Aids Hiss.
Does louder volume cause whistling? Higher volumes can increase feedback. Proper fit and adjustments can prevent it.
Can a dirty dome reduce volume? Absolutely. Change wax traps, clean domes, and brush microphones regularly.