The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to alter our daily lives, and nowadays, it’s a common sight to see another person wearing a face mask. Face masks have become ingrained into our routine, no matter where we go throughout the day. While face masks have created obstacles for many people, face masks are especially challenging for hearing aid users. Managing hearing aids and face masks can be difficult. Hearing aids, particularly the behind-the-ear (BTE) style, can become dislodged and fall out due to the mask’s standard design, causing a person to lose their device or damage it.
Luckily, with our helpful guide below, the combination of hearing aids and face masks doesn’t have to be as much of a daily challenge.
• Depending on where you live and where you go, you can eliminate the need for a face mask by using a shawl, scarf, or neck gaiter to cover your nose and mouth. This option allows for more versatility and can help you avoid placing anything around or over the ear.
• If you happen to have long hair and cannot locate a behind-the-head mask, pull your hair back into a ponytail or a bun and secure your mask’s ear loop elastic band around your bun or ponytail. This can help lower the risk of losing or damaging your hearing aid(s).
• Instead of wearing a mask that loops around the ears, look for one with behind the head straps. You can always make your own if you can’t find one of these in stores or online. Behind-the-head masks can help reduce the risk of your hearing aids from falling out since nothing loops around the ear.
• Using a mask extender can help you safely secure your hearing aid without the risk of damage or loss. You can purchase a mask extender, or you can make your own. All you need is two buttons, a needle, thread, ribbon, or a fabric headband. You attach the two buttons to the ribbon or headband, which will anchor the elastic loops of the face mask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Face masks, especially those with ear loops, can interfere with behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids by dislodging them or causing them to fall out. This increases the risk of losing or damaging the devices since the mask straps loop around the ears where the hearing aids sit.
Hearing aid users can opt for masks with behind-the-head straps instead of ear loops. Additionally, scarves, shawls, or neck gaiters can be used to cover the nose and mouth without placing anything over the ears, offering a versatile alternative to traditional masks.
Mask extenders serve as anchors for the elastic loops of a face mask away from the ears, reducing tension on hearing aids. They can be purchased or handmade using buttons and fabric, which help secure the mask without interfering with hearing aids, minimizing risk of damage or loss.
For those with long hair, pulling the hair back into a ponytail or bun allows the ear loop of the mask to be secured around the bun instead of the ear. This reduces pressure on the hearing aid and lowers the chance of dislodging or damaging it.
Yes, if specialized masks or extenders aren't available, hearing aid users can create their own mask extenders using simple materials like buttons, ribbons, and fabric headbands. They can also modify hairstyles to better secure mask straps away from the ears.