Colin Snow
Sleeping with hearing aids can be uncomfortable and even painful. The hard material of the hearing aid can press uncomfortably into the ear, causing irritation and pain. Sleeping with hearing aids can also cause feedback, where the microphone of the hearing aid rubs against the pillow, creating an unpleasant whistling noise that can disturb sleep. Additionally, wearing hearing aids while sleeping can lead to earwax buildup, causing irritation, tinnitus, fullness in the ear, and ear infection. It is therefore recommended to remove hearing aids before sleeping and store them in a safe, dry place to prolong battery life and allow for proper ear wax removal.
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What You'll Learn
Discomfort and pain
While sleeping with hearing aids in is not recommended, it is not uncommon for people to do so. There are several reasons why it is not advisable to sleep with hearing aids in, one of which is discomfort and pain.
Hearing aids are typically made from hard materials such as acrylic, silicone, or titanium. When lying down, especially on your side, the hearing aid can press uncomfortably into your ear, creating pressure points. This can cause pain and irritation in the ears, and you may wake up with sore ears. The microphone of the hearing aid can also rub against your pillow, creating an unpleasant whistling noise known as feedback, which can further disrupt your sleep.
In addition to discomfort and pain, sleeping with hearing aids can cause earwax buildup, as it interferes with the natural movement of earwax out of the ear. This buildup can lead to irritation, tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and an increased risk of ear infection. Therefore, it is important to give your ears a break at night and allow them to breathe and work out excess earwax.
While it is not recommended to sleep with hearing aids, there may be situations where individuals feel insecure or unsafe without their hearing aids, such as the need to hear children or potential dangers during the night. In such cases, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits and consult a hearing care professional for advice.
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Feedback and unwanted noise
Sleeping with hearing aids can cause discomfort and pain in the ears. The hearing aid can press uncomfortably into the skin of the ear, creating pressure points that can interfere with sleep or wake you up in the middle of the night. This is especially true if you sleep on your side.
The microphone of the hearing aid can also rub against the pillow or bedding, creating an unpleasant whistling noise known as feedback. This feedback can keep you and your partner awake at night. If the hearing aid is pressed against the sheets or pillow, it can also create unwanted noise, such as rustling, due to the microphone's proximity to the object. These noises can be disruptive to your sleep cycle.
To avoid discomfort and unwanted noise, it is recommended to remove hearing aids before sleeping and store them in a safe, cool, and dry place. This will also help prevent earwax buildup, which can lead to irritation, tinnitus, fullness in the ear, and ear infection.
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Earwax buildup
While it is important for ears to produce the correct amount of earwax for protection, too much earwax can cause problems for hearing aids. Foreign objects in the ear, including hearing aids, can interfere with the natural self-cleaning process of the ear. Normally, earwax dries and falls off on its own. However, when something is in your ear, earwax is more likely to accumulate and cause hearing impairment.
To maintain healthy ears and hearing aids, it is important to allow both to rest at night. This gives hearing aids a chance to recharge and helps prevent earwax buildup. Consistently wearing hearing aids throughout waking hours will provide the best listening experience. However, it is recommended to remove them at night to clean and store them properly, allowing the ears to breathe and work out earwax naturally.
While it is not recommended to sleep with hearing aids, it is safe to do so occasionally. The main concern is discomfort or losing the hearing aids during sleep. Sleeping with hearing aids can also cause feedback, creating an unpleasant whistling noise that disturbs sleep. Therefore, it is generally advised to remove hearing aids before bed and store them in a safe, dry place.
To prevent earwax buildup, it is important to have your ears checked by a professional regularly, approximately every six months. If any impaction is found, they can safely remove it. In addition, regular hearing aid maintenance and cleaning can help extend the life of the device.
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Risk of losing or damaging hearing aids
While it is technically possible to sleep with hearing aids in, it is not recommended. There are several risks associated with doing so, including the risk of losing or damaging your hearing aids.
Firstly, sleeping with hearing aids can be uncomfortable and even painful. The hard material of the hearing aid can press uncomfortably into the skin of the ear, creating pressure points, especially if you sleep on your side. This can cause discomfort and make it difficult to sleep or wake you up in the middle of the night.
Secondly, the microphone of the hearing aid can rub against the pillow or bedding, creating an unpleasant whistling noise known as feedback. This noise can be disruptive to your sleep and that of your partner.
Thirdly, if you move around a lot in your sleep, there is a risk of the hearing aids falling out and becoming lost or damaged. This is especially true if you sleep on your side, as the device may fall out of your ear.
Additionally, keeping your hearing aids in while sleeping can affect the battery life. Hearing aids require regular charging, and leaving them on overnight can drain the battery unnecessarily.
Finally, it is important to let your ears and hearing aids rest and breathe at night. Wearing hearing aids for extended periods can expose them to earwax, sweat, and other debris, leading to a buildup that can cause the device to malfunction or develop an infection.
Therefore, it is generally advised to remove hearing aids before sleeping and store them in a safe, dry, and secure place to prevent loss or damage.
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Shortened battery life
Sleeping with your hearing aids in can result in shortened battery life for several reasons. Firstly, if your hearing aids are left on during sleep, they will continue to drain power unnecessarily as you do not need to hear anything while asleep. This can be avoided by simply removing the hearing aids and opening the battery door, as advised by Amplifon.
Additionally, hearing aids are typically worn for more than eight hours a day, and the materials they are made of are not breathable. Taking them off at night allows your skin to breathe and rest, and lets ear wax move out of the ear canal naturally. This is important because ear wax buildup can cause hearing aids to malfunction over time. By removing your hearing aids at night, you give them a chance to dry out and reduce the risk of ear wax buildup, thus prolonging their battery life and overall functionality.
If you use rechargeable hearing aids, it is recommended to charge them overnight. This way, you ensure that they have sufficient battery power for the following day. However, if you forget to charge them overnight, you may find yourself having to change the batteries more frequently or find time to recharge during the day.
In conclusion, sleeping with your hearing aids in can lead to shortened battery life due to unnecessary power drainage. Removing them at night not only saves battery life but also provides the necessary break for your skin and ears to breathe, reducing ear wax buildup and maintaining optimal hearing aid performance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not recommended to sleep with your hearing aids in. Your ears and the device need a break from each other. Your ears need to breathe and work out earwax naturally to prevent buildup, which can lead to impaction or infection. The device also needs to be cleaned and dried out to prevent damage.
Sleeping with your hearing aids in can cause discomfort and pain. The hard material of the hearing aid can press uncomfortably into your ear, especially if you sleep on your side. It can also create an unpleasant whistling noise known as feedback, which can interfere with your sleep and that of anyone sleeping nearby.
Feedback is a scratchy or high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when the microphone of your hearing aid rubs against your pillow or bedding.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your hearing aids in, there is no risk of malfunction. However, you should be careful not to lose them and develop a habit of storing them in a safe place when you are about to sleep.
