Approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. Hearing aids are remarkable inventions that allow people with hearing loss to communicate with and understand the world around them. If you are new to hearing aids, you probably have a lot of questions about caring for and using your devices. One of the most common questions for new users is how often to wear them and when they should be removed.
How Often Should You Wear Your Hearing Aids?
In most cases, you should wear your hearing aids as often as possible, excluding times when you’re showering, swimming at the Redding Aquatic Center or sleeping—even for short periods. If you’re a big fan of daytime naps, let’s look at a few reasons you should remove your devices before hitting the couch and how you can best care for them.
Why Shouldn’t You Wear Your Hearing Aids While Napping?
Your hearing aids are invaluable devices essential to an improved quality of life with hearing loss. A few reasons you should remove your devices before a nap include:
- Risk of damage. Sleeping with hearing aids exposes your devices to damage from being crushed onto a couch cushion or lost in blankets. Behind-the-ear devices may be especially susceptible to damage as they sit outside the ear canal.
- Hygiene. Wearing hearing aids all day can increase the risk of ear infections or irritations—especially if your devices are not regularly cleaned. Leaving hearing aids in while you sleep deprives your devices and ears of the break they may need.
- Battery life. Although hearing aid batteries are designed to last, keeping your devices in while you sleep can drain them unnecessarily. You can help prolong your battery life by removing and shutting down your devices when they aren’t in use.
Help protect the health and batteries of your new devices by removing and storing them in their case before you hit the hay. If you have concerns about missing important auditory cues while you sleep, try investing in vibrating alarm clocks, bed shakers or phone alerts to keep you informed.
To learn more about caring for your devices, contact Audiology Associates of Redding today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.