Ask a PROFESSIONAL: Can You Sleep with Hearing Aids In?
Q: What Happens if I Sleep With My Hearing Aids In?
A: Hearing aids are meant to be worn during your waking hours to stimulate your brain and support better communication. However, they’re not designed to be worn while sleeping.
Wearing them at night can interrupt your sleep, as it makes unwanted noises louder, such as subtle rustling movements or background sounds. They may also press against your ears, which could cause discomfort or irritation, and in some cases lead to ear infections.
Sleeping with hearing aids in can cause moisture buildup from sweat and increase the risk of damage from pressure or accidental knocks.
To keep your hearing aids performing their best, place rechargeable hearing aids in their charging dock overnight so they’re ready for you in the morning.
For devices with disposable batteries, turn them off and store them in the container provided by your hearing care professional. If you are using drying capsules, make sure to take out the batteries from the hearing aids and store them separately (away from places where pets or kids can access them).
The best approach is to follow your hearing care professional’s recommendations and stick to a consistent routine for wearing, cleaning, and storing your hearing aids. This helps your devices last longer and perform their best.
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Q: Is It Okay to Nap With Hearing Aids?
If you choose to nap with them, try to rest on your back or make sure your ears are comfortable. This helps avoid pressure and keeps your device safe.
Be mindful of any movement that could cause discomfort to your ears or damage to the device.
The same tips for sleeping with hearing aids apply, such as potential wear and tear.
It’s recommended that you remove your hearing aids when not in use, but if that's not possible in some situations, you need to take extra care to protect your ears and the device.
Q: What Should I Do With My Hearing Aids at Night?
For rechargeable hearing aids, place them in the charging station overnight. Some chargers have a built-in dehumidifying system to draw out moisture and sanitize the hearing aids as they charge.
For hearing aids with disposable batteries, make sure the hearing aids are turned off and if using drying capsules, remove the batteries and store them safely.
Making this part of your nighttime routine helps your hearing aids stay reliable and ready to support you each new day.
Q: Are There Hearing Aids Designed for Overnight Wear?
Q: How Many Hours a Day Can You Wear Hearing Aids?
If you are new to hearing aids, begin with a few hours a day and gradually increase your wearing time as you feel more comfortable. Focus on wearing them during important moments such as work, school, or spending time with family and friends, and even when its quiet so your brain can adjust to multiple sound levels for a smoother experience when transitioning between the two.
Want to Learn More?
Sources:
1 Journal of the American Academy of Audiology: Hearing Aid Use and Mild Hearing Impairment: Learnings from Big Data (September 2017): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28906244/
Ear and Hearing: Amount of Hearing Aid Use Impacts Neural Oscillatory Dynamics Underlying Verbal Working Memory Processing for Children With Hearing Loss (March 2022): https://journals.lww.com/ear-hearing/fulltext/2022/03000/amount_of_hearing_aid_use_impacts_neural.15.aspx
