Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Jonathan Javid Au.D.
Hair Rubbing Noise in Hearing Aids: Causes & Solutions for Men with Short Hair
By a Doctor of Audiology with 12+ Years of Clinical Experience
Men with short hair often experience an annoying, scratchy noise while wearing Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids. This irritation stems from hair rubbing against the microphones, especially during head movement, resulting in clicking, tapping, or rustling sounds.
This issue is common but fixable. In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why this noise happens
- Which styles and technologies prevent it
- Recommended hearing aid models that eliminate hair-related interference
🔎 Quick Overview: Solutions for Hair Noise in Hearing Aids
| Solution | How It Works | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Length Adjustment | Keep hair shorter or longer to reduce friction | Free, immediate | May require frequent maintenance |
| Oticon Real | Advanced handling noise reduction in RIC design | Actively filters hair noise | Requires purchasing new hearing aids |
| ReSound Omnia M&RIE | Places microphone inside ear canal | Physically avoids hair contact | Best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss |
| ITE / CIC Hearing Aids | All components sit in or near the ear canal | Hair can’t touch the mics | Limited features, less suited for severe loss |
What Causes Hair Rubbing Noise in Hearing Aids?
In RIC-style hearing aids, microphones sit behind the ear near the hairline. When short hair brushes against these sensitive microphones, especially with head turns or outdoor movement, the resulting friction produces:
- Crackling or static sounds
- Tapping or clicking noises
- Distorted audio from hair interference
This can be especially frustrating in quiet environments or conversations, affecting sound clarity and comfort.
💇♂️ 1. Hair Length Adjustment
A simple but effective fix is changing your haircut. You can:
- Keep hair shorter: Minimize contact with the microphone
- Grow it longer: Let gravity weigh it down and keep it away from the mic area
💡 This doesn’t cost anything, but it may not be a permanent solution and could require frequent trims or awkward in-between phases.
🎧 2. Oticon Intent Hearing Aids with Handling Noise Reduction
Oticon Intent features proprietary technology to address handling noise — defined as contact noise from:
- Fingers touching the aid
- Glasses tapping the casing
- Hair rubbing across microphones
Oticon’s handling noise reduction uses intelligent algorithms to distinguish between meaningful sound (speech, music) and disruptive contact noise. It actively filters out unwanted friction — without muting the environment.
🎯 Ideal for those with moderate hearing loss who want to stay in RIC models but eliminate hair noise.
👂 3. ReSound Vivia M&RIE: Built-in Microphone in the Ear Canal
The Microphone and Receiver-In-Ear (M&RIE) design from ReSound Omnia places one microphone inside the ear canal, eliminating external friction from hair.
This innovative placement also improves:
- Sound localization (more natural hearing)
- Wind resistance
📝 Note: M&RIE is best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss. It may not work well for those with severe loss or certain ear shapes.
🔇 4. Try ITE or CIC Style Hearing Aids
Another effective option is switching to In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids. These custom-molded aids sit entirely inside the ear — where hair can’t reach.
- No external microphones for hair to touch
- More discreet (especially CIC models)
- Great for those seeking cosmetic invisibility
⚠️ Drawbacks:
- Often lack Bluetooth streaming or directional microphones
- May feel more occluding for some users
- Less effective for severe hearing loss
Final Thoughts: Get the Right Fit with an Audiologist
While hair noise with RIC hearing aids is frustrating, you don’t need to tolerate it. Today’s hearing aid technology offers clear, tailored solutions — from advanced microphones to fully in-ear designs.
An audiologist can:
- Determine the exact source of noise
- Recommend the best model for your hearing loss
- Customize settings to reduce friction
🔗 See which hearing aid is the most comfortable to wear
🔗 Compare Bluetooth features across top brands
📌 FAQ: Hair Rubbing Noise in Hearing Aids
Why does my hearing aid make crackling noises when I move my head?
If you wear RIC hearing aids, short hair brushing against the microphone may be the cause. Handling noise features can help.
Will trimming my hair stop the noise?
Yes — reducing hair length or growing it longer may stop the rubbing. However, results vary by hair type and style.
Which hearing aid style is best to avoid hair noise entirely?
ITE or CIC hearing aids, or RIC models like ReSound M&RIE, which relocate the microphone into the ear canal.