Using hearing aids in everyday life
Wearing a hearing can greatly improve communication for deaf children and young people, but certain situations require extra care.
This guide gives tips for safe use in everyday situations, as well as guidance on communicating without hearing aids and connecting to assistive technologies.
Using hearing aids in different situations
Swimming and bathing
Remove hearings aids before swimming or bathing.
Most hearing aids are 'water resistant', meaning they can survive a splash of water but should never be fully submerged. They should also never be exposed to salty, soapy or chlorinated water, such as from a swimming pool.
If your hearing aid gets wet, follow these steps:
- Remove the hearing aid from the water immediately and gently dry it with a soft cloth.
- Take out the battery and check for water in the battery compartment.
- Put the hearing aid in a drying kit to remove any moisture. If you don’t have one, put the hearing aid in a box of rice or leave it in a warm, dry area like an airing cupboard (but avoid direct heat sources like radiators).
- If the hearing aid stops working, contact your audiology department for assistance.
For extra protection from dirt, dust, sweat and moisture, consider using special sleeves like Ear Gear (available from Connevans). These are especially useful for beach outings or sports activities.
More about maintaining hearing aids.
More deaf-friendly swimming advice.
Zoe's story
Zoe is mum to Elina (2) and chooses to remove her daughter's hearing aids when they're at the beach.
She says, "Elina understands that hearing aids come off around water and is happy to hand them over so I can put them safely away as soon as we're at the beach. I think she prefers not hearing me say, 'You can't get your hearing aids wet,' over and over, so this is our approach at the moment. Every child is different, so there's no right way to go about this."
Playing sports
Children and young people can wear hearing aids during most sports, but it's important to consider the specific safety risks of each sport. For example, could a blow to the head damage the ear or hearing aid? If a child or young person is not wearing their hearing aids, what support needs to be put in place so they can communicate with instructors and teammates?
To help keep hearing aids securely in place, consider using hearing aid retainers or a sports headband. For sports where a blow to the head is common, like football or rugby, you might want to buy a scrum cap.
Aeroplanes and airport security
Children and young people do not need to remove their hearing aids for airport security. Metal detectors and scanners will not damage hearing them or trigger alarms.
For flights, hearing aids do not need to be turned off during take-off or landing. However, if the device has wireless or Bluetooth features, it might need to be switched to flight-safe mode.
Important: If your hearing aid is rechargeable and uses lithium batteries, keep them in your carry-on luggage, as spare lithium batteries cannot be checked on a flight for safety reasons.
Sleeping
Some children find it comforting to sleep with their hearing aids, but it’s important to give their ears a chance to rest overnight. While some older children may keep their hearing aids on, younger children should never be left alone with their devices, as small parts and batteries pose choking hazards.
Tip: If your child dislikes the quiet when their aids are removed, try taking them off after they've fallen asleep.
Tip: Use a designated safe place for the hearing aids, like a special box near your child’s bed, where they can put them away and get them easily.
Ear infections
If a child or young person has an ear infection, they should avoid using their hearing aid to allow the ear to 'breathe’ and heal. Swelling may also make the earmould uncomfortable to wear.
Once the ear has healed, the earmould should be replaced to prevent re-infection. Talk to your GP, ENT doctor or audiologist for more advice.
Pets
Keep hearing aids and their parts out of reach of pets, as they may chew or swallow them.
Data-logging
Many hearing aids come with datalogging features. These features help audiologists and users track important information, such as:
- how often the hearing aid is worn
- the types of listening environments the child or young person is exposed to throughout the day
- which programmes are being used on the hearing aid
This data can be useful in managing the hearing aid and making adjustments. For instance, if the hearing aid is not being used frequently, professionals can discuss potential barriers. Similarly, if a child is often in noisy environments, adjustments may need to be made. This data can also be valuable when applying for benefits or additional support in education.
Your audiologist should ask for your consent before recording this information. While the data logging feature can be turned off, you may need to request this specifically.
Communicating without technology
There may be times when a child or young person needs to remove their hearing aid, such as during certain activities or if it's not working properly. In these situations, it's helpful to use other communication methods, like visual signals, writing or sign language.
Keeping hearing aids on babies and toddlers
Getting young children to wear hearing devices consistently can be a challenge for many parents. We have tips and recommendations for accessories that can help.
See our top tips on getting young children to wear their hearing aids.
Full references for this webpage are available by emailing
informationteam@ndcs.org.uk