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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Normally you wouldn't have a mask on all day. Therefore once you put your hearing aides on for the day you usually wear them until evening. Taking the aides on and off to put the mask on when needed would b a nuisance. Just a thought.

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@susan1954 That's why I suggest either around-the-head elastic or ties for those with aids. I like the elastic myself, but much care must be taken when removing to avoid the outer surface of the mask touching face or hair. We have taken to using t-shirt strips or soft elastic for the ties - more comfortable than ribbon or bias binding. Need to get back to the sewing room - requests for more masks are piling up, and I believe a lot of people will be wearing them until current infection numbers drop very low, then I expect to see them again in fall/winter cold and flu season.
Sue

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@sueinmn

@susan1954 That's why I suggest either around-the-head elastic or ties for those with aids. I like the elastic myself, but much care must be taken when removing to avoid the outer surface of the mask touching face or hair. We have taken to using t-shirt strips or soft elastic for the ties - more comfortable than ribbon or bias binding. Need to get back to the sewing room - requests for more masks are piling up, and I believe a lot of people will be wearing them until current infection numbers drop very low, then I expect to see them again in fall/winter cold and flu season.
Sue

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Etsy has a lot of masks especially designed for hearing aid wearers. Here is one link, but there are many other pages on Etsy that also have them. https://www.etsy.com/listing/792525549/face-mask-reusable-fit-for-hearing-aids

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@sparklegram thank you -- that is a great idea for many people. Some of us cannot tolerate wearing such headbands. The Etsy seller I selected
used skinny elastic and made the ear loops longer for me. (CreationsforKiddos - https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsforKiddos?ref=shop_sugg) With
the longer length the elastic is not too tight & so far has not dislodged my hearing aids (I rarely wear my masks for more than a few hours)

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Great information, @catladyde9 . Thank you!

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@maryella7

I’ve received help from a librarian who has been crocheting face mask adapters. Chances are you know a friend who crochets or a friend of a friend. Good luck! Mary

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do you have directions for making this

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@erdbird

do you have directions for making this

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Hello, erdbird,. I had the same problem. I wear Phonak Audéo M hearing aids. Awhile back someone responded to this post suggesting you put your mask on first, then your hearing aids. This really does work beautifully for me. I'm so grateful to the person who posted that idea. I put my glasses on last. It all works!

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I have a CI and have masks with a continuous loop of elastic - it goes around the back of the head and the back of the neck. Great for HA users - not so great for CI. The top band needs to go above my ear, right where my processor anchors! Errrg.

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@lizzy102

I have a CI and have masks with a continuous loop of elastic - it goes around the back of the head and the back of the neck. Great for HA users - not so great for CI. The top band needs to go above my ear, right where my processor anchors! Errrg.

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Lizzy, I found a pattern online for a shaped mask, instead of the flat ones with pleats along both sides. Because it's shaped, it can be held in place with a single band that runs entirely below your ears. It slips a little while you talk, but not enough to be a problem, and far easier to cope with than anything above your ears. E-mail me (can't post my mail here but you can get it by going to group members and searching for "joyces." Naturally, I tried a couple of placements before I found what actually works, so got to use my brand-new seam ripper!

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@joyces

Lizzy, I found a pattern online for a shaped mask, instead of the flat ones with pleats along both sides. Because it's shaped, it can be held in place with a single band that runs entirely below your ears. It slips a little while you talk, but not enough to be a problem, and far easier to cope with than anything above your ears. E-mail me (can't post my mail here but you can get it by going to group members and searching for "joyces." Naturally, I tried a couple of placements before I found what actually works, so got to use my brand-new seam ripper!

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I would love to see your pattern to use for my husband who has the earphones behind his ears. How can I see your pattern please and thank you

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