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How do you manage wearing a facemask with hearing aids?

Posted by lille @lille, Apr 12, 2020

I wear hearing aids that loop over both ears. When I put on a mask, it knocks the aids out of my ears. When I have the mask on and put them back in, it feels uncomfortable. I don't want to go around without the hearing aids. Any suggestions?

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sandradavis | @sandradavis | May 31, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@lille Yup - exactly the reason my daughter told me not to make that kind -..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@lille Yup - exactly the reason my daughter told me not to make that kind - most of our neighbors and friends wear glasses &/or hearing aids and they cause this problem.
Three suggestions:
1 - Get a long twist-tie - the big plastic one from big trash bags would work best, and loop it through the elastic loops and fasten as loosely as possible, then slip the mask over your head with the twist tie behind. If too tight, you can string 2 or more twist ties together.
2 - Use a shoelace or ribbon to tie between the loops and slip over your head. Adjust the tie to keep the loops out of the way of hearing aids.
3 - IF you have elastic twill or bias tape in the house, you can cut the loops at the center, add a piece (sewn or knotted) between the two cut ends on top. Add another piece between the 2 cut ends on the bottom. Presto, you have an around-the-head mask.
You may need to put the mask on, then put the aids in. Finally, as a last resort, ask among friends and family for tie-on masks. We've made 48 so far, and go back into production making more tomorrow.
Stay calm, stay safe, stay hopeful.
Sue

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That was good information. Thanks a bunch!

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Michelle | @mediachick | Aug 29, 2020

I don't have my hearing aids yet so I can't test it for sure, but would an "x" elastic design (in the back) work? Has anyone bought a mask in this design?
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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Aug 29, 2020

@lille, Masks are hard with hearing aids, I agree. I found that if I put my mask on first and then put my hearing aids on, it is much easier and my hearing aids stay on. It's difficult when I have to take the mask off and put it back while I'm out, though.

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joyces | @joyces | Aug 29, 2020

Easiest protective device is a shield because it rests on your forehead and upper back of your head. Someone in our small town has a 3D printer and has made lots of shields, for $15 ea., $10 to those of us who work for homeless charities. The shields are very helpful because many clerks wear them, which makes figuring out what they're saying far easier, both because a mask doesn't muffle speech and because you have all the usual visual clues.

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ihatediabetes | @ihatediabetes | Aug 29, 2020

You can use a big paperclip to connect the ear loops of the mask behind your head. That's one hack we came up with because the ear loops can be uncomfortable behind the ears.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 30, 2020
In reply to @mediachick "I don't have my hearing aids yet so I can't test it for sure, but would..." + (show)
@mediachick

I don't have my hearing aids yet so I can't test it for sure, but would an "x" elastic design (in the back) work? Has anyone bought a mask in this design?

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@mediachick- Welcome to Mayo Connect. This looks like it would be difficult to put on. Have you tried it?

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 30, 2020
In reply to @sparklegram "@lille, Masks are hard with hearing aids, I agree. I found that if I put my..." + (show)
@sparklegram

@lille, Masks are hard with hearing aids, I agree. I found that if I put my mask on first and then put my hearing aids on, it is much easier and my hearing aids stay on. It's difficult when I have to take the mask off and put it back while I'm out, though.

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@sparklegram- Isn't this difficult if you have to remove your mask a few times?

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2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 30, 2020
In reply to @ihatediabetes "You can use a big paperclip to connect the ear loops of the mask behind your..." + (show)
@ihatediabetes

You can use a big paperclip to connect the ear loops of the mask behind your head. That's one hack we came up with because the ear loops can be uncomfortable behind the ears.

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@ihatediabetes- How does this work?

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 30, 2020
In reply to @joyces "Easiest protective device is a shield because it rests on your forehead and upper back of..." + (show)
@joyces

Easiest protective device is a shield because it rests on your forehead and upper back of your head. Someone in our small town has a 3D printer and has made lots of shields, for $15 ea., $10 to those of us who work for homeless charities. The shields are very helpful because many clerks wear them, which makes figuring out what they're saying far easier, both because a mask doesn't muffle speech and because you have all the usual visual clues.

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@joyces- It would seem that shields might be better. Dr. Poland and the CDC have stated that because most shields are open on the bottom and some on the sides that they aren't as effective as the ones that they have recommended because of all the testings that have been done.
.
Have you watched this podcast?

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susan1954 | @susan1954 | Aug 30, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@sparklegram- Isn't this difficult if you have to remove your mask a few times?" + (show)
@merpreb

@sparklegram- Isn't this difficult if you have to remove your mask a few times?

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Yes I agree. My fear that when I take off the mask I'm going to loose the hearing aids when i take the mask off because they are so lightweight

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