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Wearing a Mask with Hearing Aids

Behind the ear hearing aids can pose a greater risk for loss. Removing glasses, flipping off a hat or hood, or removing a scarf are examples of how hearing aids can go flying off the ear. An active adult or child may forget to check that the hearing aid is still in place. Wearing a mask with behind the ear hearing aids certainly poses a new challenge. We have already gotten a few calls from patients who lost hearing aids by taking a mask on and off.

We’ve heard complaints that the mask is not comfortable when worn with behind the ear hearing aids. After all, unless you have a large space between your scalp and ear, there’s limited real estate to work with. Anyone who wears both hearing aids and eyeglasses knows what I’m talking about.

Here are 4 solutions that may help

1. If you have long hair, pull it back in a bun and loop the elastics around the bun.
2. Sew 2 large buttons onto a soft headband. Placing the buttons to line up with each ear will allow the mask to sit properly. Looping the elastic around each button will take the strain off of your ears.

3. If you know someone who crochets or sews, you can create an extension out of fabric, ribbon or yarn that is 4 inches long. Buttons sewn on either side allows for a place to put the elastic of the mask other than your ears.

4. There are YouTube videos on creating masks that tie, which puts absolutely no pressure on the ears.