Sleeping With Hearing Aids: Night Charging, Dry Storage and Safety

AudiologyOctober 13, 20269 min read

Sleeping with hearing aids is generally not recommended: most people take them out at bedtime, put rechargeable models in the charger, and store battery models in a dry case with the battery door open. Night-time is when your ears rest, the hearing aids charge or dry, and small parts are put safely out of reach of children and pets.

A good night routine takes two minutes and protects your hearing aids, your ears and your family. This guide covers why hearing aids usually come out at night, how to charge or store them, and the safety points that matter most at home.

Is sleeping with hearing aids a good idea?

Hearing aid care guidance from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital simply says to take hearing aids off at bedtime. There are practical reasons behind that advice:

Your ears need a break. Wearing something in or on the ear all day and all night gives the skin of the ear canal no time to breathe and dry.
Comfort. Lying on a hearing aid can press it into the ear or against the head, which can be sore and can cause whistling.
Loss and damage. Hearing aids can fall out in bed and be crushed, lost in the bedding or picked up by a child or a pet.
Power. Rechargeable models need the night to charge, and battery models last longer when they are switched off.

If you have a specific reason to keep a hearing aid in at night, such as needing to hear a baby or a family member, talk about it with your audiologist rather than deciding alone. There may be other ways to stay alert at night, such as an alarm that vibrates or flashes, or a family arrangement, that do not involve sleeping with hearing aids.

Rechargeable hearing aids: charging overnight

Several Danavox families in our hearing aids catalogue include rechargeable models: KLAR, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP. Not every model in those families is rechargeable, and BARANI and Anthe use zinc-air batteries. Our catalogue describes rechargeable hearing aids as "charged overnight in a charger instead of changing batteries", and, according to Danavox, most rechargeable models list an all-day battery on one charge.

A simple bedtime routine for rechargeable hearing aids:

Take them out and wipe them with a soft dry cloth, removing any wax or moisture.
Check they are dry. Do not put wet hearing aids into the charger.
Place them in the charger and check the charging light or sign your audiologist showed you.
Keep the charger in a cool, dry place, away from direct sun and not in the bathroom.

Danavox offers three chargers, according to the manufacturer: a plug-and-play Desktop Charger, a Standard Charger in a carry case with a lid that protects the hearing aids, and a Premium Charger in a powerbank style with up to three days of on-the-go charging without a power outlet. Which charger comes with your hearing aids, or suits your routine, is confirmed by our team.

Our article on hearing aid batteries and charging explains charging habits in more detail.

Battery hearing aids: open the door and store dry

For hearing aids that use zinc-air batteries:

Turn the hearing aid off. NIDCD advises turning hearing aids off when they are not in use.
Open the battery door. St. Jude advises turning the hearing aid off and opening the battery door when not in use, which helps batteries last longer.
Wipe and check the hearing aid for wax and moisture.
Store it in a clean, dry case, not loose on a bedside table or in a humid bathroom.

If the hearing aid will not be used for several days, for example a spare pair, removing the battery is a sensible extra step.

Dry storage in a hot, humid climate

Muscat's humidity can leave moisture in hearing aids after a long day. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) advises keeping hearing aids away from heat and moisture. At night that means:

A dry, closed case in the bedroom, not the bathroom.
No storage near a window in direct sun, on a hot car dashboard or near a heater.
If you sweat a lot, a careful wipe before the hearing aids go into the case or charger.

Ask at your appointment whether a drying container would help in your situation.

Safety: children, pets and batteries

Hearing aids and their batteries are small, and both can be dangerous at home.

Keep hearing aids and batteries out of reach. NIDCD advises keeping replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets, and St. Jude notes that batteries are small and can be dangerous if swallowed.
Dispose of used batteries carefully, in a closed container out of reach.
Pets. Pets may chew small objects left within reach, so store hearing aids in a closed case in a drawer or a high place.
If a child swallows a battery or puts one in the ear or nose, treat it as an emergency and go to the emergency department immediately. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that a swallowed button battery can burn through a child's throat in as little as two hours.

If a hearing aid is chewed or crushed, do not try to repair it yourself. Bring it to the clinic for a check. Note that our warranty does not cover breakage or misuse; the full terms are on our hearing aids page.

Night-time tinnitus

Some people with tinnitus notice it more at night, when the room is quiet and the hearing aids are out. This does not mean you should sleep with your hearing aids in. Our article on tinnitus at night covers practical ways to sleep better, and a tinnitus assessment can be discussed at your appointment.

Naps, travel and hospital stays

The same rule applies to a daytime nap: if you are going to lie down and sleep, take the hearing aids out and put them in their case rather than leaving them on the pillow or the edge of the bed.

When you travel, carry the charger or spare batteries in your hand luggage and give the hearing aids one fixed place in the hotel room or at relatives' homes, away from the bathroom and out of children's reach. Hearing aids are often forgotten in hotel rooms because they were put somewhere unusual, so check that place before you leave.

If you need to stay in hospital, tell the staff that you wear hearing aids and keep them in their case with your name on it, so they are not lost in the bedding.

A two-minute night checklist

Take the hearing aids out before bed.
Wipe them with a soft dry cloth and check for wax.
Rechargeable: place in the charger and check it is charging.
Battery: turn off, open the battery door, store in a dry case.
Put the case or charger out of reach of children and pets.
In the morning, check the charge or battery before you leave home.

Our hearing aid care checklist can help you build a daily and weekly routine.

Setting up your routine at the fitting

At the fitting appointment, the audiologist shows you how to use, clean and charge your hearing aids or change their batteries. Ask your questions about night-time there: where to place the charger, how to tell if it is charging, and what to do on nights when you are away from home. During a Danavox hearing aid fitting, it helps to describe your bedroom routine and anyone at home who might reach the hearing aids.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sleep with my hearing aids in?

It is generally not recommended. Taking them out at bedtime rests your ears, lets rechargeable models charge and reduces the risk of damage or loss. If you have a reason to wear them at night, discuss it with your audiologist.

Should I leave the battery door open at night?

Yes, for hearing aids with zinc-air batteries. Turn the hearing aid off and open the battery door when it is not in use; this helps the battery last longer.

Can I charge my hearing aids every night?

Rechargeable hearing aids are designed to be charged overnight in their charger. Make sure they are dry and clean before you place them in it.

What if my child swallows a hearing aid battery?

Go to the emergency department immediately. A swallowed button battery is a medical emergency, even if the child seems well.

Book an appointment

To set up a night routine that suits your hearing aids, or to have them checked, book an appointment at Jordan Hearing & Speech in Bousher, Muscat, or call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373. Our after-sales care includes cleaning, maintenance and periodic check-ups, and the Danavox hearing aid fitting service covers follow-up as you settle in.

Sources

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — How to care for hearing aids
NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
CPSC — Button cell and coin batteries
Danavox product portfolio and accessories, as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

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