Do I Have To Wear Hearing Aids When Sleeping?

Hearing aids are a modern marvel that helps people with hearing loss cope with their conditions. These devices amplify sound and enable wearers to hear conversations, background noise, and alarms more clearly. They do a lot of good in enhancing their quality of life.

These days, hearing aids can also be stylish, with models that fit behind the ear to customized ones that are molded to fit within the ear canal. There are also rechargeable ones, which don’t require frequent charging for the wearers’ convenience. Furthermore, hearing aid technology has come so far that it now allows connection to smartphones and reductions of scratchy sounds.

However, hearing aids do require routine maintenance to prevent issues. This may sound counterintuitive, but at night when you’re asleep, it’s best to take your hearing aid out of your ear. How, then, can you hear sounds at night? Isn’t it better to get used to having hearing aids in your ear 24/7? Let’s answer these questions and find out.

Wearing Hearing Aids while Sleeping: A Comfort Issue

For many, the question of whether to wear hearing aids while sleeping is a matter of comfort and personal preference. But the truth is it’s generally not recommended to wear hearing aids in bed. There are several potential issues that can arise, with discomfort being the main one.

The ear canal also needs a period of rest and ventilation. This can be deprived of when you wear hearing aids around the clock. In addition, sleeping with hearing aids may compromise the quality of your sleep, as the devices may pick up unwanted background noise and disturb your sleep cycle.

Moreover, wearing hearing aids at night may also lead to accidental damage to the hearing aid housing or ear pieces if you toss and turn during sleep.

For most users, removing hearing aids before bed will ensure both the comfort of the ear canal and the longevity of the hearing aid.

Potential discomforts with hearing aids while sleeping

The discomforts of wearing hearing aids while sleeping include pressure on the ear canal and the risk of damage to the hearing devices. Some discomforts may be easily solved, but some are riskier to manage. The following are the potential discomforts of wearing hearing aids while sleeping.

1. Pain or soreness in the ear: Hearing aids can cause irritation if you wear them for extended periods, especially while lying on your side. The pressure from the pillow may cause pain or ear soreness. Hence, it’s better to take off the device while sleeping.
2. Feedback noise and whistling: When your ear is pressed against the pillow, hearing aids can produce feedback noises. It may sound like whistling or buzzing, and these feedback noises disrupt your sleep.
3. Hygiene issues: Wearing a device in your ears while sleeping will trap moisture and heat, which may lead to ear infections or skin irritation in and around the ear canal. This will be harder to treat if you don’t know how.

Hearing Aid Care While You Sleep

Hearing aids need rest, too. It’s beneficial to air them out overnight, as moisture from sweat and the environment can accumulate and impact their performance. Letting them out for the night is part of your basic hearing aid maintenance, which will lengthen their life instead of using them in your ears all the time.

Here are the best practices for hearing aid care at night:

1. Remove hearing aids before sleeping. Doing this will prevent discomfort, reduce the risk of ear infections, and release pressure. 
2. Clean your hearing aids before bed. Cleaning will remove earwax, moisture, and other debris accumulated during the day. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the devices or a small brush/wax pick tool. Never use water or solvents when cleaning.
3. Store the devices safely. Store them in a drying box or dehumidifier overnight to remove moisture. Proper storage prevents damage and ensures your aids are ready for use the next day.
4. Check batteries and recharge overnight. Rechargeable models will benefit from your sleep as the nighttime allows them to recharge. (If you use replaceable batteries, remove them before storing them to prevent corrosion.) Your hearing aids will be ready again the next day after a full night of recharging.
5. Perform a visual inspection in the morning. Look for signs of damage and ensure the microphone and speaker ports are clear. A quick inspection the next morning will alert you to any issues like cracks or moisture.
6. Adjust to your specific needs. If you have a medical condition or special hearing needs that require hearing aids to be worn at night, consult your audiologist. They will help you develop a tailored solution. An audiologist can recommend special-use hearing aids or other devices to meet your needs safely.

Alternatives to Hearing Aids at Night

If you’re worried about not hearing an alarm at night without your hearing aid, it’s recommended to use other assistive devices to help you. 

Some of these devices can be:

• Vibrating alarm clocks or bed shakers: They wake you up through vibrations instead of sound.
• Visual or flashing light alarms: They use strobe lights or bright LED flashes to catch your attention.
• Smoke detectors with visual or vibrating alerts: They alert you to potential emergencies through vibrations or visual cues.
• Smart systems (smart doorbells, smartwatches): They directly alert you via personal devices of any anomalies at night.

Conclusion

Hearing aids help you hear better, but wearing them 24/7, including when you sleep, is not generally recommended. Like you, your hearing aids need a period of rest where they can recharge and give you maximum comfort to sleep at night. Letting your hearing aids off while you sleep can be considered part of the best practices to maintain your hearing aids’ longevity.

However, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional audiologist if you need assistance with hearing while you sleep at night. Hearing Associates of Las Vegas is always ready for you.