If you are new to hearing aids, you may be wondering if you should wear them all the time. The short answer? Yes! (With a few caveats.)
It is important to wear your hearing aids during your waking hours. Even if you are reading a book or engaging in another quiet activity where you think you don’t need them. Wearing your device consistently will be the most beneficial for your hearing health.
How Hearing Loss Affects Your Brain 
Your brain has to work harder to process sounds when you have hearing loss, particularly speech. This can lead to you experiencing mental fatigue easier during work meetings or when out socializing with friends.
Hearing loss can also deprive your brain of stimulation. When your brain is deprived of certain sounds for a long period of time, it can lose the ability to process them. If left untreated, the parts of the brain that process these sounds ma begin to shrink and atrophy. This can lead to worsening hearing loss and even impair cognitive function.
Hearing Aids Can Help Cognition
A small study found that wearing hearing aids “may reverse compensatory changes in cortical resource allocation”—in other words, negative changes in your brain may improve with consistent hearing aid use. Brain shrinkage may slow or stop, and your brain may begin to pick up on sounds it had forgotten how to process.
However, the benefits of hearing aids on cognition are only seen if hearing aids are worn consistently.
Is it Ever OK to Take Out Hearing Aids?
While consistent use is essential, there are occasions when it’s necessary to take out your hearing aids.
You should never wear your hearing aids when you go to sleep. Instead, remove them at night and clean them off with a soft cloth or brush before storing them in a cool, dry place as you rest.
You also want to avoid getting your device wet. Be sure to take them out when you shower or before going for a swim at Northbridge Pool.
Other than that, we recommend that you leave your hearing aids in to maximize your hearing capabilities and keep your mind working sharp.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing experts, contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today.