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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I work 1:1 with children that are multiply disabled. Due to the nature of my work, I must be closer than 6' (more like 2-3'). They don't cover when they sneeze or cough. I still wear a mask. I have to be very careful when I take it off, so that I do not knock off my hearing aid(s). I did not wear my hearing aids at all in the beginning of the pandemic.

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@carlf

I work 1:1 with children that are multiply disabled. Due to the nature of my work, I must be closer than 6' (more like 2-3'). They don't cover when they sneeze or cough. I still wear a mask. I have to be very careful when I take it off, so that I do not knock off my hearing aid(s). I did not wear my hearing aids at all in the beginning of the pandemic.

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Amazon has headband with buttons. You wear the headband so it slightly covers the top of your forehead. The elastics go on the buttons, which frees up real estate for your hearing aids. I saw a nurse wearing her mask this way. She said many of the nurses use this system.

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@mpeters

Amazon has headband with buttons. You wear the headband so it slightly covers the top of your forehead. The elastics go on the buttons, which frees up real estate for your hearing aids. I saw a nurse wearing her mask this way. She said many of the nurses use this system.

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You can find masks that have 2 straps, one upper and one lower. No need to put strap behind ear. There are also aids that eyeglass stores sell that are a plastic strip with cutout notches that you put the regular mask straps into and the strap goes around the back of. the head eliminating the need to put behind ears.

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@chud2

You can find masks that have 2 straps, one upper and one lower. No need to put strap behind ear. There are also aids that eyeglass stores sell that are a plastic strip with cutout notches that you put the regular mask straps into and the strap goes around the back of. the head eliminating the need to put behind ears.

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I don't have a problem with the elastic and the aides, so much as my hair. I have to wear it up or the elastic works its way off my ears very quickly. As far as the aid is concerned, I have the type that is in the ear; no part is on the outside and in back of the ear. I like the ones outside better...frankly. I can control the sound a little better.

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@chud2

You can find masks that have 2 straps, one upper and one lower. No need to put strap behind ear. There are also aids that eyeglass stores sell that are a plastic strip with cutout notches that you put the regular mask straps into and the strap goes around the back of. the head eliminating the need to put behind ears.

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if you wear a cap or head covering, there are some that have a ....thingy?.....that the elastic can be hooked on to. I have a cap but it's too small for my head, so.....get fitted.

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I too have Behind-the-Ear hearing aids and know the problem BUT I don't have a problem because I wear an N95 mask - authentic N95 masks always loop behind the head so there is no issue with the hearing aids.
N95 masks are the quality masks that really protect you. Apart from the 3M ones (just like the doctor's but not approved for use in medical environment), Project N95 (online) sells other types of N95 masks which all go over the head,
The KN95 ones go behind the ear so I don't get those.
Surgical masks do not provide the same level of protection and those go behind the ears.
All other masks are not quality - that is they don't offer you protection.
You can actually buy N95 masks at construction stores - construction workers wear them for protection on work sites.
Also glasses don't bother the N95 mask either.

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my ears are sensitive, there are masks that have one band around the back (called dust masks - will see what they look like) since i am very "crafty" - I first stitch the loops to the mask at the middle of the side fronts, cut off at bottom , ties ends to make one loop around. if you or someone you know can visualize this suggestion, may be an option. spent 14 months making hundreds of cloth masks when covid began and masks were not readily available to the public, like many other people who sew. was a good use of all my fabric, and hope they helped dozens of people (family, friends) avoid the virus.

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I too wear hearing aids. I use a mask extender purchased at Amazon. This allows the loop to be gathered behind the head. I have included a photo.

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I know the question has been up for a while now, since I just noticed it I’m going to add my 2 cents. I have one HA and a cochlear processor hanging on my ears - not much real estate there! I use KN95 masks that have the strap that goes over my head to my neck and the top strap goes up on the top back of my head. I hated them at first but since the ear loop type take enough space to knock my CI off, I’ve gotten used to these. Not a pretty or pleasant solution but it sure works.

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