Wearing masks with over the ear hearing side

Posted by akalsas @akalsas, Nov 14, 2020

“I have stopped wearing my aids when masks required because when talking ,etc my aids have been almost lost because the movement of mask makes for a dangerous situation. Having had the scare of the aids being dangling from behind the ear frequently. What do others do?

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@akalsas, do NOT stop wearing your hearing aids on account of the mask. I use the masks that go around the ears. However, I do not wear mine around the ears. I don't care what the mask looks like so I've just added elastic to the parts that go on the ears (to extend the length of the supports) and wear the mask with the elastic going around my head. I actually do not use elastic, but tied several of those stretchy pony tail things that girls use for pony tails that I picked up at the dollar store. If you need a prettier solution, get a different mask that ties or goes around the back of the head but its very important for the brain to take in stimulus.
Tony in Michigan

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I use tie mask (two strings to tie it in back of my head - not around the ears).

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I made some cloth masks for myself with ties. After experimenting with the ties, I found that using grosgrain ribbon works well. If you have a cloth mask, try removing the elastic and sewing on ribbons. When wearing it, works best if you tie the bottom ties first, pull it up over your face, then tie the top ties. Some people have created 'button bands' that connect the elastic at the back of the head, or have even used paper clips to connect the elastic bands. This is a real issue for people who use hearing aids. I know a couple who have lost hearing aids when pulling off the standard masks. Check Etsy.com Many creative people are coming up with options. Good luck!

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@akalsas It's vital that you are able to keep yourself and others safe by wearing a mask, but it's also important you can wear your hearing aids without fear of losing them.

Have you seen these types of headbands before and would this be an option for the combination use of masks and hearing aids?

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@julieo4

I made some cloth masks for myself with ties. After experimenting with the ties, I found that using grosgrain ribbon works well. If you have a cloth mask, try removing the elastic and sewing on ribbons. When wearing it, works best if you tie the bottom ties first, pull it up over your face, then tie the top ties. Some people have created 'button bands' that connect the elastic at the back of the head, or have even used paper clips to connect the elastic bands. This is a real issue for people who use hearing aids. I know a couple who have lost hearing aids when pulling off the standard masks. Check Etsy.com Many creative people are coming up with options. Good luck!

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The use of neck gaiters is another way to avoid the ears and those valuable hearing aids.. Neck Gaiters are a tube of double or triple cloth that is worn around the neck and then pulled up over your mouth and nose ...not coming close to your ears... There have not been many good studies on the effectiveness of these.. as the vary a lot depending on construction... Try this website.. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/07/30/neck-gaiters-vs-face-masks-they-effective/5544515002/

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@akalsas

I have several layered cotton masks that have pockets for additional filters. They have narrow openings on each side where the elastic is....similar to the openings in elastic waistbands. I replaced the original thicker elastic and bought a packet of very stretchy and very thin elastic in the jewelry section at Michaels. They go behind the BTEs I wear . Very easy to put on and does not knock the aids off my ears. You can make the mask as snug as you want. Just be careful taking them off. I often inadvertently press one of the program buttons when taking the mask off.

A lot of the elastic is too thick but I did get a very soft thin type with one mask that I kept. This was from a seller on Etsy who also wore BTEs. The thin almost thread like elastic I bought at Michaels is used in making stretchy bracelets and necklaces and hasn’t stretched out so far. Etsy has a ton of masks and many of the vendors will accommodate a request to alter them.

As an added thought, I have 2 masks with the nose wires and those are my favorites because the mask doesn’t shift around on my face when I am talking.
We had a whole mask conversation here months somewhere on the forum that had a lot of good suggestions also.

FL Mary

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@golden418

I use tie mask (two strings to tie it in back of my head - not around the ears).

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Tried this but the top strap has dislodged the aid

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Search for “mask extenders” on Amazon. I bought some and they are wonderful! The extender is a plastic strap to which you attach the elastic ear pieces. It fits around your head below your ears so you can wear aids and glasses in complete comfort.

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@bailey30

Search for “mask extenders” on Amazon. I bought some and they are wonderful! The extender is a plastic strap to which you attach the elastic ear pieces. It fits around your head below your ears so you can wear aids and glasses in complete comfort.

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Thank you for sharing this. Has anyone experienced any other issues with the standard masks? I'm aware of facial acne and skin irritation behind the ears experienced by workers who have to wear them for hours at a time.

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Weat mask behind your neck delta faucet made these thing Tostitos on your neck m mask elastic goes on each side will:
Not loose hearing aids. Can also make 3 inch strip fabric with buttons n elastic goes on buttons great fit

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