Why Can I Hear Myself in My Headset? A Guide to Audio Feedback

Hearing your own voice echo back when wearing earbuds or a headset can be distracting and confusing. Whether you’re gaming, on a video call, or recording a podcast, this issue, known as audio feedback or sidetone, is quite common. Luckily, understanding what causes it makes fixing it much easier.

In this guide, we’ll explain why you can hear yourself in your headset, what factors cause the echo or feedback, and how you can adjust settings or upgrade to high-quality wireless earbuds like soundcore Liberty 5 to prevent it from happening again.

Why You Hear Yourself in Your Headset

Before fixing the problem, it’s important to understand why it happens. Hearing your own voice through earbuds or headsets often results from a mix of hardware, software, and environmental causes.

At the most basic level, your headset or computer might be looping the microphone input back into the speakers, causing your voice to echo. Other times, poor device calibration, open-back designs, or even Bluetooth latency can make the issue more noticeable.

In this section, we’ll break down the most common reasons why you hear your own voice in your headset, including device settings, sound leakage, and sidetone functions that are intentionally built into certain headsets.

Microphone Monitoring (Sidetone) Settings

Many headsets come with a sidetone or mic monitoring feature that allows you to hear your voice as you speak. This is actually designed to help users speak naturally by preventing them from talking too loudly.

If you’re hearing your own voice and it’s bothering you, this feature may simply be turned on. On most systems, you can disable mic monitoring through the audio settings of your device, such as:

• Windows:Go to Sound Settings > Input Device > Properties and uncheck “Listen to this device.”
• macOS:Use System Preferences > Sound > Input to reduce input monitoring.
• Gaming Consoles:Navigate to chat settings and adjust the “Mic Monitoring” level.

Understanding how to control sidetone is the first step in resolving unwanted feedback.

Sound Leakage from Headphones

Sound leakage happens when your headset’s speakers are loud enough that the microphone picks up the output. This typically occurs in open-back headphones or low-isolation earbuds.

If the microphone detects the speaker sound and sends it back, it creates a loop that makes you hear your own voice. To fix this, try lowering your volume or switching to noise-isolating earbuds, which prevent sound from escaping and help keep your voice clear.

Models like soundcore Liberty 5 provide excellent noise isolation with adaptive ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) that reduces both environmental noise and internal echo.

Bluetooth Latency and Device Delay

When using wireless earbuds, you might notice a slight delay between speaking and hearing yourself. This is usually caused by Bluetooth latency. The time it takes for audio signals to travel between your device and your headset.

While most modern devices minimize this delay, some Bluetooth versions or interference from other devices can still cause noticeable lag. If you’ve ever experienced this issue, check out our detailed guide on how to fix headphone latency to learn practical ways to reduce lag and improve response time.

Upgrading to soundcore Liberty 5, which supports the latest Bluetooth technology, can also significantly reduce delay and improve synchronization between your speech and the audio feedback you hear.

Incorrect Input and Output Settings

Another common cause is when your system mixes up audio input and output settings. For instance, your computer might be routing sound from an external microphone or webcam instead of your headset mic.

This mix-up can result in multiple sound sources being active simultaneously, creating feedback. Check your system’s sound panel and ensure that both input and output devices are correctly set to your earbuds.

Also, disable any unnecessary virtual audio devices or software that might be duplicating your mic input.

Environmental Factors and Echo

Sometimes, the problem isn’t in your headset at all. It’s in your environment. Hard surfaces such as walls, desks, or windows reflect sound, which your microphone then picks up and feeds back into your earbuds.

Try recording or calling in a quieter, carpeted space or use a microphone with built-in echo cancellation.

Again, soundcore Liberty 5 is designed with multi-mic AI noise reduction, helping minimize external sounds and reflections for clearer, echo-free conversations.

How to Fix Audio Feedback in Your Headset

Once you understand what causes audio feedback, fixing it becomes straightforward. The good news is that most solutions don’t require technical expertise, just a few setting adjustments or hardware upgrades.

In this section, we’ll explore practical methods for eliminating unwanted echo and improving sound clarity. These include software settings, hardware positioning, firmware updates, and noise-canceling technology.

Adjust Audio and Microphone Levels

Start by lowering your headset’s playback volume and mic sensitivity. High sensitivity can cause your mic to capture every small sound, including your own voice from the speakers.

Balance both settings so you can still hear others clearly without feeding your own voice back into your headset.

If you’re gaming or on a call, check if the app (like Discord, Zoom, or Teams) has built-in echo cancellation settings and enable them.

Disable Sidetone or Mic Monitoring

If sidetone is active, disable it in your device or headset’s software. Most headset control apps, like soundcore’s companion app, allow users to adjust or completely disable sidetone.

For example, users of soundcore Liberty 5 can fine-tune sidetone levels directly through the app, ensuring you only hear what’s necessary during calls or recordings.

Keep Devices Updated

Outdated firmware or Bluetooth drivers can also cause feedback issues. Regularly updating your devices helps fix bugs and ensures your headset operates smoothly.

When you update your earbuds, it improves performance, stability, and compatibility with your smartphone or PC.

soundcore Liberty 5 receives consistent firmware updates that enhance both audio quality and connectivity reliability.

Use Noise-Isolating or ANC Earbuds

Choosing noise-canceling earbuds can dramatically improve your listening experience by preventing sound leakage and external interference.

soundcore Liberty 5 features adaptive ANC, transparency mode, and advanced acoustic tuning to minimize unwanted sound feedback while keeping your own voice natural.

This balance ensures a comfortable and immersive experience whether you’re in a meeting, recording, or relaxing with music.

Reposition Your Microphone and Earbuds

Finally, proper mic placement can make a big difference. Keep the microphone slightly away from your mouth—close enough to capture speech clearly but far enough to avoid breath noise and echo.

If you’re using earbuds, make sure they fit securely in your ears. A loose fit can cause sound leakage and echo. The ergonomic design of soundcore Liberty 5 provides a snug, comfortable seal for optimal audio isolation.

Why Upgrading to High-Quality Earbuds Matters

Even after adjusting all your settings, older or lower-quality headsets may continue to produce feedback due to poor design or outdated technology. Investing in advanced earbuds ensures better performance, improved microphone clarity, and enhanced sound control.

soundcore Liberty 5 stands out as a top choice for users seeking premium sound with zero echo, featuring high-resolution audio, AI noise reduction, and long-lasting comfort. These features make it ideal for everyday use from online meetings to music listening.

Discover soundcore Liberty 5

soundcore Liberty 5 offers cutting-edge performance and intelligent sound management designed to reduce audio feedback. With adaptive noise control, AI-enhanced microphones, and Bluetooth 5.4 technology, it ensures smooth, lag-free, and natural sound reproduction.

Whether you’re speaking, streaming, or studying, soundcore Liberty 5 provides balanced audio and comfort that make hearing yourself a thing of the past.

Conclusion

Hearing your own voice through your earbuds can be distracting, but it’s usually easy to fix once you understand what’s causing it. From sidetone settings and sound leakage to Bluetooth latency, small adjustments can make a big difference in clarity and comfort.

By optimizing your setup or upgrading to modern options like soundcore Liberty 5. You can enjoy crisp, echo-free sound and focus fully on what matters: your conversation, your game, or your music.