Hearing aids are incredibly beneficial pieces of technology that mitigate hearing loss and can significantly improve quality of life. However, one of the most common challenges for hearing aid users is hearing aids falling out of their ears. This can be incredibly frustrating, as you need to fiddle with the fit constantly, and anxiety-inducing, as you don’t want to lose the delicate, expensive piece of equipment. Here are some steps to keep them fitting snugly in your ears.
Get The Right Fit and Style
Ensuring your hearing aids stay in your ears starts with a proper fit. Talk to your audiologist about what size of inserts and what style of hearing aid best fits your ear shape.
Make Sure You’re Putting Them In Properly
Putting your hearing aids on improperly doesn’t just make them more likely to fall out, but it also will affect the sound quality and comfort of the device. The wire should not stick out, and it should fit comfortably around the top of your ear. Double-check that the wire follows the shape of your ear. You’re aiming for a nice, snug fit. If it’s uncomfortable, pull the hearing aid out and start again.
Remove Excess Earwax
Excessive earwax may affect the shape of the ear canal and, thus, the fit of your hearing aids. Some people naturally produce more earwax than others. Do not use a cotton swab to remove earwax; this can cause the wax to become impacted. Instead, use over-the-counter eardrops to soften the wax, then irrigate your ears in the shower.
Clean Your Hearing Aids
Ideally, you should be cleaning your hearing aids daily. This maintains their functionality, decreasing the chances of them falling out due to malfunction. It also prevents earwax buildup on the device itself, which, as discussed above, can affect the fit.
Use a Hearing Aid Clip or Lanyard
Sweat or humidity can cause excess moisture in your ears, causing your hearing aids to slip out. Or if you’re running or working out, the rolling movement of your body could jostle your hearing aids and dislodge them from your ears. You can’t really control the humidity in the air or the amount of sweat you produce, so it’s a good idea to get a lanyard or clip to keep your hearing aids on your person, even if they do fall out. You could also consider wearing a sweatband or headband to hold them in place if you know you’ll be moving around a lot.
Talk To Your Audiologist
If your hearing aids keep falling out after implementing the steps above, there may be a bigger issue with how the hearing aids fit your ear. Talk to your audiologist: maybe you need a new style, a new brand or a new size. Your audiologist may also know of some attachments that could improve the fit or hold the hearing aid to your ear. Call our team today for more information or to make an appointment for a hearing aid fitting.
