Is It Okay to Sleep with Hearing Aids In?

For many, hearing aids are an essential part of daily life, transforming social interactions, work environments, and overall connection to the world. They amplify sounds, clarify conversations, and restore confidence.

Given their importance throughout the day, a common question arises as bedtime approaches: Can you sleep with your hearing aids on?

While the idea of staying connected to your surroundings 24/7 might seem appealing, it is strongly recommended that you do not sleep with hearing aids on. Doing so can lead to several issues, including potential discomfort, damage to the devices, sleep disruption, and challenges to your ear health.

Why You Shouldn't Sleep with Hearing Aids On

Wearing your hearing aids overnight is strongly discouraged as it poses risks to both your well-being and the devices themselves.

1. Sleep Disruption from Feedback and Noise

   One of the most immediate issues you may face when trying to sleep with hearing aids is auditory feedback. When you lie down, your pillow can press against the hearing aid, causing the microphone to pick up the amplified sound from the receiver. This creates a feedback loop, resulting in a high-pitched whistling or squealing noise.

    

   This unexpected sound can be jarring enough to wake you up, leading to restless nights and fragmented sleep. Over time, this nightly disruption can cascade into significant health concerns, including persistent daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and an increased risk for chronic conditions like high blood pressure.

2. Risk of Damaging Your Hearing Aid

   Hearing aids require careful handling, and naturally shifting and turning during sleep can easily dislodge a hearing aid from the ear. Should it fall to the floor or become inadvertently trapped beneath the body, the hearing aid faces a significant risk of physical damage, including crushing or being stepped on.

    

   Furthermore, sustained pressure from lying directly on the device can impose considerable strain on its delicate casing and intricate internal components. This continuous stress significantly increases the potential for malfunctions, ultimately compromising the device's performance and longevity.

3. Draining Hearing Aid Battery

   Leaving your hearing aids on overnight will unnecessarily drain the batteries. Your devices will continue to process ambient sounds while you sleep, depleting their power source.

    

   For hearing aids that use disposable batteries, this means you will have to replace them far more frequently. The recommended practice is to remove them and open the battery door, which disengages the connection and helps preserve battery life. For rechargeable models, the ideal time to place them in their charging station is at night. This ensures they are fully powered and ready for optimal performance the next day.

4. Discomfort and Ear Health Issues

   Hearing aids are designed for comfort during daily activities, but they are not intended for prolonged pressure against a surface. The materials, often a hard acrylic or titanium for custom-moulded models, can cause significant discomfort and soreness on the outer ear when pressed into by a pillow for hours.

    

   Beyond physical comfort, your ear canals need time to "breathe." Wearing hearing aids continuously can block the natural migration of earwax and trap moisture, leading to the accumulation of earwax. This environment can increase the risk of wax impaction, skin irritation, and even outer ear infections.

    

   Removing your devices when you sleep allows your ear canals to ventilate and self-clean, which is vital for maintaining good ear hygiene.

Best Practices for Nighttime Hearing Aid Care

A consistent nightly routine is essential for maintaining the health of your ears and extending the lifespan of your hearing aids:

• Remove hearing aids before sleeping: Always remove your hearing aids before bed to avoid the risks associated with wearing them while sleeping. This simple habit is the most crucial step in your nightly care routine, helping to prevent discomfort and accidental damage.
• Power down your devices. Conserve battery life by powering down your hearing aids each night. For models with disposable batteries, open the battery door completely. For rechargeable types, place them in their charging unit to ensure a full day of use.
• Ensure hearing aids are clean and dry: To prevent residue from collecting, clean your hearing aids daily with a soft, dry cloth to eliminate any traces of earwax and moisture. This quick cleaning prevents damage to sensitive components, such as microphones and receivers, ensuring clear performance.
• Store devices safely in a drying box or a hearing aid case: Store your hearing aids in their dedicated case or, ideally, a drying box (dehumidifier). This protects them from physical harm while removing damaging moisture that can corrode the internal electronics.
• Keep devices out of reach of children, pets, or high-humidity areas: Always store your hearing aid case in a cool, dry location that is safely out of reach of children and pets. Avoid high-humidity areas, such as bathrooms, as moisture can cause significant and costly damage to your devices.

What If You Accidentally Sleep with Your Hearing Aids On?

At times, when you do sleep with your hearing aids on, there is no need to panic.

A single night is unlikely to cause serious harm to you or your devices. However, it is essential to treat it as an exception.

Make a conscious effort to prevent it from becoming a habit to remove them before you sleep. Consider setting a nightly alarm on your phone or placing the hearing aid case on your bedside table as a visual reminder.

What to Do If You're Still Struggling with Hearing at Night

For some individuals, the silence at night can feel isolating or unsafe, especially if they need to be alert for the sound of a smoke alarm, a child crying, or other important sounds. Even if this is a concern, continuing to sleep with hearing aids is not the recommended solution.

Instead, consult a hearing care professional. There are specialised alerting systems designed for nighttime use that connect to doorbells, smoke detectors, and alarm clocks. These systems provide alerts through other senses.

Standard options include a powerful vibrating pad or bed shaker for your pillow, as well as a visual alarm that utilises flashing lights. Your audiologist can discuss these assistive devices with you and recommend the ideal solution based on your unique hearing profile and personal safety needs.

What Should I Do If I Damage My Hearing Aids While Sleeping?

If you suspect your hearing aids have been damaged, whether from sleeping with them on or any other incident, avoid attempting to repair them yourself. DIY fixes can often cause further, more expensive damage to the delicate internal components.

The appropriate course of action is to schedule an appointment with your hearing care provider as soon as possible. They have the proper tools and expertise to address the issue. In many cases, the clinic can perform professional repairs. If the damage is extensive, they can advise on whether a replacement is necessary.

Regular check-ups and a comprehensive hearing test in Singapore can also help identify minor issues before they become significant problems, ensuring your hearing aid is in optimal working condition.