Communication is challenging enough for the millions of Americans with hearing loss, even under the best of circumstances. The global coronavirus pandemic has created additional unexpected obstacles.
If you wear behind-the-ear (BTE) style hearing aids, you may have difficulty wearing a protective mask around your ears. In fact, in doing so you run the risk of inadvertently dislodging your hearing aids. While we originally thought the best face mask for hearing aid wearers is the type that is tied around the back of the head, we have recently come across some creative ways to make a variety of mask styles work.
Here are some simple ideas for protecting your hearing aids by keeping the elastic band from your mask off your ears.
Wear a mask that goes around your head instead of over your ears.
If your hair can be put in a bun, wrap the mask’s elastic around the bun.
Sew two buttons onto a piece of ribbon to wear on the back of your head. Attach the mask’s elastic to the buttons.
Sew two buttons onto a fabric headband above your ears and hook the mask’s elastic onto the buttons.
You can also use a mask extender. Heuser Hearing Institute has extenders available at all clinics for a $5 suggested donation. Proceeds benefit Heuser Hearing & Language Academy, which supports programs for children affected by hearing, speech and language challenges.
Please call first to confirm availability of the mask extenders. Curbside pick-up is available. (502) 584-3573