Should You Wear Your Hearing Aids All the Time?
The Importance of Wearing Hearing Aids While You’re Awake
Why You Should Wear Hearing Aids Consistently
While wearing hearing aids a few hours a day during the initial adjustment period is recommended, you eventually should be providing your brain with a full day of clear sound.
Doing so not only keeps you connected to the world around you all day, but it helps protect your brain and overall well-being, too. Here’s why.
Better Speech Clarity in Everyday Life
Your brain does better when constantly stimulated. In fact, consistent wear helps your brain stay sharp at identifying speech and sounds.
This means with consistent use, you’ll find it much easier to follow conversations in noisy restaurants or busy family gatherings over time.
Supporting Brain Hearing Pathways and Adaptation
Consistent hearing aid use prevents "auditory deprivation,” which happens when your brain isn’t receiving constant sound signals from the ear and forgets how to process them.
Your brain needs a steady stream of sound from the ear to keep its auditory pathways active and sharp.
More Confidence and Less Listening Fatigue
When you wear hearing aids all day and consistently, your brain doesn't have to work as hard to fill in the gaps. This reduces the exhaustion often felt after a long day of listening.
You’ll also be prepared and confident going into any situation, from phone calls to neighborly conversations.
Why Inconsistent Wear Can Slow Adjustment
When hearing aid use is intermittent, this forces your brain to work harder and "re-learn" sound every time you put them in.
Sounds can feel more overwhelming, too, if you're constantly changing the level of input your brain is receiving.
While starting slowly with wear time when you first get hearing aids is OK, increase your wear time each day so your ears and brain adapt and stay strong.
Wearing Hearing Aids While You’re Awake Is Key
How Many Hours a Day Should You Wear Hearing Aids?
General Recommendations for Most Users
Unless you’ve received different guidance from your hearing specialist, wear your hearing aids as many hours as you can while you’re awake, with the exception of showering or swimming.
Taking them off to go to sleep each night should ideally be the only extended time you go without them.
Additionally, if you are prone to infections it may be necessary to remove devices during active infections.
A Gradual Schedule for First-Time Wearers
When you first start wearing hearing aids, you’ll usually start out with just a few hours a day, and add time gradually over the first 2 to 4 weeks.
This allows your ears brain to slowly adjust to new sounds and the physical sensation. Your hearing specialist should provide guidance on wear time when you’re fitted for your devices.
What Affects Your Ideal Wear Time
Your specific hearing loss level, lifestyle, and age can play a role, and your hearing specialist can provide guidance for your needs. This can include considerations for exercise and work.
Keep in mind that even in quiet environments, keeping your devices in is important and helps make sure you don’t miss sudden, important sounds like phone calls, alarms, and doorbells.
One circumstance that may warrant removing hearing aids is loud noise exposure. If you’re around loud noises like concerts, fireworks, or lawn equipment, consider quality ear protection during those times.
Can You Wear Hearing Aids 24 Hours a Day?
No, you shouldn’t wear hearing aids 24/7. Your ear canals need airflow to stay healthy, and your brain benefits from silence to rest while you sleep.
Also, you could damage your hearing aids or while you sleep. Be sure to place them in a secure, dry location overnight.
When to Take a Break From Your Hearing Aids
When You Should Take Your Hearing Aids Out
Hearing aids shouldn’t be worn 24 hours a day, as your ears and devices need breaks for specific reasons.
Take your devices out and clean them at bedtime. Follow this routine each night. This way they’ll be clean for the next day and won’t fall out or cause discomfort.
You can also charge the batteries (if rechargeable) for the next day.
Here’s when to remove hearing aids and how to protect them.
Showering, Swimming, and Water Exposure
Itching, Irritation, or Soreness
You may experience these initial sensations when you first start wearing hearing aids and as your ears get used to them. This is often normal, but sharp pain is not.
If you experience significant soreness, dizziness, and any pain, take a break and talk with your hearing specialist to make sure the fit and dome size are correct.
If the fit isn’t right or the hearing aid itself isn’t working for you, your hearing specialist can help you find a hearing aid that works best for you.
Charging, Drying, and Cleaning Time
Use your "off" hours to clean, maintain, and protect your devices:
- Wipe them with a soft cloth.
- Remove any wax or debris, using the right tools so as not to damage internal parts.
- Place them in a charger or a dehumidifying kit at night ensures they are clean, dry, and powered up by morning.
Create and Follow a Hearing Aid Routine Every Day
Finding the Right Daily Routine for Your Hearing Aids
Build a Simple Routine You Can Stick To
Make hearing aids part of your morning hygiene and bedtime routine. Consider putting them in and taking them out after brushing your teeth.
And as mentioned earlier, be sure to clean them every evening before placing them in their charging case or dry box.
What works for you may not work for someone else, as everyone’s lifestyle is different. Set a routine that you know you’ll follow and stick with.
If They’re Uncomfortable, Have Them Checked by a Professional
Physical comfort is key to consistent use. If they are uncomfortable, that is not normal.
A professional can swap domes, adjust earmolds, or fine-tune programming to ensure your devices feel comfortable. If this doesn’t work, a different hearing aid may work better for you.
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