Tips to Keep Hearing Aids From Falling Out of a Patient's Ears

Hearing aids can supplement partial hearing loss, or provide replacement hearing for total hearing loss. Hearing aids are available in many different styles, and are sized to fit babies, children and adults. Regardless of your age, the size of your ear and the shape of your ear canal, your hearing aid should fit comfortably and securely.

Keeping Hearing Aids in Place

• Choose a style of hearing aid that best suits the shape of your ear and your personal comfort. In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids nestle into the outer ear, and are best suited for adults, since the ears of children grow and change shape throughout adolescence. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids fit behind the ear, but require a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear to keep them in place. BTE hearing aids are suitable for people of all ages, as the plastic ear molds are easy and affordable to replace.

  Canal hearing aids fit directly into the ear canal, and come in two sizes. They are customized to fit the shape and size of an individual ear, but because they are small in size, may be difficult to put in, adjust or remove, and additional hearing devices may not be able to be connected to them.
  Body aids are large hearing aids that are worn in a pocket or on a belt loop. They connect to the ear with a small wire, and are able to transmit sound for individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss.

  Give yourself time to adjust to the fit of a new hearing aid. Many newer hearing aids are very lightweight and versatile in design, which may lead users to be anxious about them falling out. Discuss with your audiologist the best way to start wearing hearing aids. He may recommend that you begin by wearing your hearing aid for a few hours a day, and then gradually increase the amount of time that you keep it in.

  Consult with your audiologist about the appropriate fit of your hearing aid. Not all hearing aids fit in the same manner, but if you are experiencing discomfort or are concerned about your hearing aid falling out of your ear, your audiologist may be able to make some adjustments. Depending on how loosely your hearing aid fits, your audiologist may even recommend trying a different style of hearing aid.